High absenteeism after schools reopen

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Education has reported a high rate of absenteeism since schools in the Phokwane and Magareng municipal areas resumed normal operations after recent disruptions.

Some parents stated that they would continue to keep their children at home, citing concerns that schools were unable to function without the necessary funds due to severe budget cuts.

Last week, an interdict was granted against the Vaalharts School Governing Body (SGB) Forum.

According to the court order issued by Northern Cape High Court Judge Albert Punch Sibongile Nxumalo on February 11, members of the Vaalharts SGB Forum, SGBs, and schools are prohibited from interfering with teaching and learning in the Frances Baard District, which includes Warrenton, Jan Kempdorp, Pampierstad and Hartswater.

The order also restrains individuals from locking school gates, intimidating teachers and pupils and preventing them from accessing the schools, or instructing or threatening learners not to attend school.

The SAPS was instructed to break the locks placed on the school gates.

Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe said district officials and circuit managers were continuing to monitor the reopening of all schools.

“No disruptions were reported. Principals and SGB members have received a copy of the court interdict, and notices to parents have been issued by all schools regarding the return of learners. All principals and teachers reported for duty on February 12,” said Van der Merwe.

He called on all parents to ensure that the learners attend school promptly to make up for teaching and learning losses caused by the unlawful closure of schools.

“The department, along with the South African Police Service (SAPS), will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Meanwhile, DA Member of Parliament and deputy spokesperson on Basic Education Ciska Jordaan welcomed the commitment from the MEC for Finance, Venus Blennies, and the MEC for Education, Abraham Vosloo, to account regularly to the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature on the financial constraints experienced by schools in the province.

She stated that the impact of budget cuts and cash flow problems experienced by the Department of Education was exacerbated by R3.9 billion in unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

DA provincial spokesperson on Education Priscilla Isaacs added that hostels in the province were unable to provide meals and pupils were forced to return home.

“The DA welcomes the team from the national Department of Basic Education that has been deployed to monitor the situation in the Northern Cape and that funds have been transferred to restart this programme,” Isaacs said.