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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape notes the announcement from the Northern Cape Department of Education to ensure that all schools are ready for re-opening, but postponements will come at a cost.

This postponement will contribute to the pressure mounting on Grade 12 learners. Being a week behind the rest of the country, with less time for revision and studying, will make our matriculants more anxious at a time that is already fraught with difficulties. We will also see the impact on our matric results for 2020 and we doubt whether critical subjects like Mathematics or Physical Science can now deliver on expectations created at the start of the year. Poor provincial performance prior to the pandemic weakens the foundations of our educational structure and the delay may become a hurdle in us improving on our provincial pass rates.

For this reason, it is critical that the provincial department must finalize the Education Recovery Plan. The experiences of school shutdowns during 2012 and 2014 should give some valuable insight on how best to approach an effective recovery plan for the sector.

The provincial department must clear all other obstacles to the delivery of quality education in the new normal brought about by the pandemic, specifically with regards to school infrastructure. Approximately 20% of the provincial schools suffered from vandalism or burglaries during the lockdown period and we doubt if the department can carry out all repairs satisfactorily. The unexpected baseline reductions to the Education Infrastructure Grant, which could have funded some of the repairs, will make the financial burdens even heavier to carry.

In this regard, the provincial department's approach to school infrastructure failed the province prior to the pandemic.

One example is Kakamas High School, which was in such a dilapidated state that effective education could hardly take place. We have raised our concerns with the department in 2019 and earlier in 2020, but to no avail. Photographs received of Kakamas High School shows that, earlier this week, the school still carried the scars of extensive vandalism. Bathrooms are not in a fit state to be used, since toilets appear badly clogged while urinals and sinks are rusted ( see pics here, here, here and here). This is particularly worrying when one considers the heightened need for proper hygiene to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Elsewhere in the school, ceilings are caving in while fire extinguishers are sabotaged and windows are broken. Looking at the photographic evidence, one cannot see a school that is ready for safe use. It looks more like a condemned building and, amidst these challenges, it seems as though the education sector is targeted by disruptive elements of a sick society who find joy in vandalizing schools on a daily basis. Another example in the same district is the Franciscus Primary School.

With similar infrastructure problems prevalent throughout the province, we doubt if the department can carry out all repairs adequately and in time.

Secondly, we are concerned that diesel shortages may disrupt logistical arrangements for the delivery of personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, and other necessities to schools. Refining capacity is severely restricted and imported stocks are limited due to the lockdown regulations. It seems that diesel rationing may be imminent.

We note that the provincial department already plans to distribute necessities to outlying regions first, but we urge them to formulate contingency plans which will compensate for any diesel shortages and allow deliveries to take place as planned.

The DA will continue to pursue answers and accountability from MEC Jack.

After all, we can never become complacent about the safety of our school communities. Measures must be taken to protect our learners, educators, school staff, and school property alike.

If this is not done, our province will be shackled by an education sector under constant threat.

Issued by The DA