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GAUTENG girl learners continue to miss days of school every month because they do not have
access to dignity packs. This is according to the Refiloe Ntseke, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development.
The DA says that the Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD) has failed to meet its
targets for the dignity pack programme, despite the programme being in existence for over 11
years.
“This department’s inability to meet its set targets for this programme has resulted in over R31
million being returned to Treasury, while young girls and those living with albinism are left to
suffer,” Ntseke said.
The information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Social Development, Morakane
Mosupyoe, in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature
(GPL).
According to Mosupyoe, her department’s under expenditure on the dignity packs programme is
because of the late finalization of specifications.
“This is unacceptable and indicates a lack of project management and prioritisation of
programmes within the department. The dignity packs consist of essentials such as sanitary
towels, bath soap, aqueous cream, toothpaste, roll-on, toilet paper and hats for girls living with
Albinism,” Ntseke said.
The DA said the programme is not reaching all the young girls that are in dire need of dignity
packs.
“In the 2016/17 financial year 294 270 dignity packs were distributed and reached 44 572 girls,
for the 2015/16 financial year, 239 568 dignity packs were distributed and reached 19 965 girls,
in the 2021/22 financial year, 1 158 473 dignity packs were distributed and reached 96 536
girls.”
The DA said that the DSD should engage with the Provincial Treasury to assist the cooperatives
that are working with the department to be converted into small businesses.
“These businesses will be incubated and allowed to tender to provide dignity packs in the
province for two years. This will ensure that all our girls have access to dignity packs.
Furthermore, the department should have a database of all the learners that are in dire need of
these dignity packs to ensure that no girl child is deprived of quality learning time because they
do not have access to dignity packs.”
INSIDE EDUCATION