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THE DA in Limpopo says for over two months, a school in Makgopong Villiage in Zebediela have not had educators due to a proposed merger with another school, but the Limpopo Department of Education has been ‘twiddling thumbs’ to solve the situation or provide clarity on the way forward.
The parents of learners at the school claim that the learners at the school have not had any educators for over two months.
The crisis stems from learner’s objections to their school being merged with Makgwading High School.
The DA said after extensive correspondence to the MEC of Education, Polly Boshielo, that fell on deaf ears, the party is now calling on her to finally meet with parents, learners and the school governing body of Mpotla Senior Seconday School to urgently find solutions.
“The major concerns and reluctance for the merger are centred around a lack of the provision of scholar transport, safety fears due to the long walk in the bushes and crossing a river on their way to Makgwading High School and the fact that their school has a good pass rate while the other school has underperformed in previous years,” said Risham Maharaj, acting DA provincial spokesperson for Education.
Maharaj said district officials of the Limpopo Department of Education met with the learners as well as the SGB and after discussions they allegedly withdrew the issue of the merger and promised six educators.
“It is also further claimed that another official came to the school months later and threatened the learners with not writing their exams unless they move to Makgwading High School,” said Maharaj.
“While we acknowledge the need for school mergers in certain circumstances, it is important to have the support of the parents, SGB and most importantly the learners to ensure a workable long-term solution.”
He added: “We call on MEC Boshielo and her department to engage the community and settle on a long-term solution for these learners. It is extremely concerning that these learners, especially grade 12s, have no educators at the school at present as we approach exams.”
“We believe the provincial government has a responsibility to ensure that every learner’s right to basic education is ensured.”
* Inside Education