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STAFF REPORTER
The magnitude of addressing the infrastructure backlogs at schools throughout the country requires an annual investment of about R40 billion, according to the Department of Basic Education Head of Infrastructure, David van der Westhuijzen.
This is significantly more than the funding allocated through the Education Infrastructure Grant and necessitates a Blended Finance Model.
The significant challenges are overcrowding in schools, inadequate sanitation, inadequate water supply, inadequate energy supply and a lack of maintenance.
The Department of Basic Education has briefed the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on the status of infrastructure in SA schools.
An overview of the progress made in eradicating critical infrastructure backlogs since 1996 was provided by Acting Director-General Dr Granville Whittle, along with van der Westhuijzen and Director Solly Mafoko,
The presentation, led by Van der Westhuijzen, estimated that in 1996 there were about 1,000 schools made entirely of inappropriate materials. In 2011, there were initially 510 schools on the infrastructure eradication programme (this number decreased to 332). Of the 332 schools made entirely of inappropriate materials, 330 have been replaced. The remaining two replacement schools are scheduled for completion in 2023/24.
Furthermore, Van der Westhuijzen said that in 1996, a total of 8,823 schools with no water supply were reported. In 2011, there were initially 1,117 schools on the programme (this number increased to 1,306).
However, of the 1,306 water supply projects, 1,292 have been completed. The remaining 14 water supply projects are scheduled for completion in 2023/24.
In 1996, 15,263 schools with no electricity supply were recorded. In 2011, there were initially 902 schools on the programme (this number decreased to 373). All 373 electricity supply projects have been completed.
In 1996, there were 3,265 schools with no toilets, but by 2011, there were initially 701 schools on the programme; however, this number went up to 1,087). All the 1,087 sanitation projects have been completed. It is estimated that there were about 9,600 schools dependent on basic pit toilets in 1996.
In 2018, there were initially 3,898 schools on the programme (this number decreased to 3,395). Of the 3,395 sanitation projects, 2,728 have been completed. The remaining 667 sanitation projects are scheduled for completion in 2023/24.
The Department developed a 10-point strategy to address these challenges due to implementation.
Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba, Portfolio Committee Chairperson, raised questions about the measures that have been put in place to curb corruption, to which the DBE responded that the assets and financial status of DBE officials are declared annually.
In addition, no direct contractors are appointed and implementing agents are used to select service providers after awarded tenders.
A suggestion arising from the discussion was to explore a Blended Finance Model to fast-track infrastructure efficiency via donors and partners, as in the Western Cape and Gauteng Provinces, through collaboration schools.
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