Naziziphiwo Buso
Eastern Cape Education MEC, Fundile Gade, says that the responsibility of eradicating pit latrines at rural schools should not be solely placed on the Department.
He said the Department of Education has a sole mandate of focusing on teaching and learning, and other Departments such as Public Works as well as local municipalities, should also be roped in to ensure that there is bulk infrastructure in rural areas to connect to schools.
Gade was speaking to the media in Gqeberha on Friday.
Speaking on the latest incident where the body of a four-year-old Langalam Vika was found dead in a pit toilet at Mcwangele Junior Secondary School earlier this month, Gade said the public should wait for the investigation to be completed before concluding that the department was at fault.
“A number of issues still need to be unearthed there. The child had a head injury and the child is said to be fully dressed when found – so there are questions that still need to be answered there.”
Meanwhile, Gade said that 29 schools that have become inaccessible for scholar transport due to flooding in the Port St Johns area will be put onto a "catch-up programme."
“President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to the province on Tuesday will hasten the fixing of such.”
He also took time to address the latest developments in the Provincial Department of Education, saying that from March to December 2022, 31 Schools valued at R1.8 billion were handed over to stakeholders and communities.
He said in the upcoming financial year, the building of previously abandoned projects will be starting with 10 major projects at an estimated cost of R20 million.
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