Education in EC rural districts need urgent attention

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The Eastern Cape Education Department has been instructed to address several issues which require urgent attention in some rural districts.

The order came from parliament's portfolio committee on Basic Education following an oversight visit to the province last week.

Committee chairperson, Hope Malgas, who hails from this province, said the Bhisho Education Department needs to urgently provide scholar transport for those learners who still walk more than 5 kilometres to school.

"Much emphasis ought to be given to the kind of support provided to schools teaching gateway subjects. But also the moratorium on employing temporary Maths educators produced by Fundza Lushaka should be lifted." said Malgas

She added that most schools in the districts were still faced with challenges related to sanitation, drinking water, functional computer and science laboratories.

"The national department has a responsibility to ensure that learners in the province receive education in conditions that are conducive to learning."

She acknowledged that despite all the challenges some progress was being made in the province.

"The department dare not fail the children of the Eastern Cape, lest history judge the officials harshly," said Malgas.

The Committee will finalise its report on the oversight visit in the next few days.