DUP calls for emergency measures to tackle social ills in Sekhukhune schools

Sekhukhune

The Democratic Union Party (DUP) said it has noted with grave concern that the return of learners for the 4th schools term is still marred with social challenges, mainly associated with the education system.

The party said it still reiterate that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) lacks the political will to solve the challenges, as nothing has been done to mitigate the challenges learners face daily which is in contravention to their rights to education.

DUP President, Tonic Manchidi, said the party has learned that the DBE‘s decision to merge schools has a negative impact to learners especially in rural provinces.

“The DBE, whilst merging or relocating the schools, effectively force the learners from the closed schools to attend at neighbouring villages which are far apart without organizing and paying for scholar transport. That in addition with the advent cuts on the education budgets which affects human resources and the national schools feeding scheme,” he said.

Manchidi added that safety at schools has also been compromised and the DBE has abandoned closed schools, which has become haven for criminals where property hijackers have turned the establishments into places of residences.

“This irregularities have resulted in a number of learners dropping out of school,” explained Manchidi.

He stated that the DUP will start to conduct a loco inspection at various schools in Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) to determine how many schools have been abandoned after they were merged with others.

“Furthermore, the DUP will demand the reopening of the closed schools and fight for the hiring of educators who are made redundant by the DBE policy of merging schools. Our learners struggle to get educated whilst on the other hand prisoners have access to free education supported with learning materials, free meals and uniforms all paid for by the tax-payer,” concluded Manchidi.