The Vaalharts SGB Forum met with the chief of staff at the Office of the Premier to address their challenges. Picture: Vaalharts SGB Forum
A TOTAL of 33 primary, intermediate and high schools in the Vaalharts cluster are on the brink of closure due to insufficient funding.
The Vaalharts School Governing Body (SGB) Forum stated that they had given the Northern Cape Premier's Office and the MEC for Education until February 6 to respond to their urgent pleas, failing which they would be forced to close their doors.
A forum member explained that while they had received a portion of their outstanding allocations this week – covering the last quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of this year – it was not enough to cover their basic expenses.
A letter addressed to the Premier and the MEC for Education warned that schools would have to halt their food nutrition programmes next week or as soon as supplies ran out.
“Schools will be forced to close as of February 7, as they are unable to pay service providers, including Eskom, Telkom, internet providers, and photocopier services. They have fallen behind on payments and cannot operate without these necessities.”
The forum emphasised that schools could not “operate as usual” without the resources.
“Schools have fallen into a state of disrepair and there are no funds for services, maintenance, transport or learner-teacher support materials (LTSM). There are no extra-curricular activities, such as school choirs or sports.
“Fund-raising drives have to be held to assist schools to pay SGB employees. There are no funds to transport any SGB employees to workshops or meetings, as any available funds are used to provide pupils with learner support materials and meals.”
It added that the affected schools include: Kgomotso Secondary, Olehile Technical Secondary, Pampierstad Secondary, Reitlamile Secondary, Banksdrift Secondary, Tlhwahalang Secondary, Valspan High, Kgono Primary, Bontleng Primary, Pabalelo Primary, Gaoshupe Primary, Simon Medupe Primary, Mooki Lobelo Primary, Valspan Primary, Realeboga Intermediate, Mogomotsi High, Rolihlahla Primary, CW Kies Primary, Tadcaster Intermediate, Motswedithuto Primary, Taudiarora Primary, Reakantswe High, DL Jansen, Boresetse High, Barkly West Higher Primary, Mosalakae Primary, Dikgatlhong High, Laerskool Hartsvaal, Stillwater Intermediate, Romance Intermediate, HLNK, ER Mocwaledi and Tlhatlogang Primary.
Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe stated that norms and standards fund allocations, which are paid out quarterly, would be distributed to schools over the next two weeks.
“Emergency funding amounting to R100 million was sourced in collaboration with the Provincial Treasury and the Office of the Premier last week, to address pressing needs within the provincial schooling system,” said Van der Merwe.
He admitted that while this allocation would cover “all the gaps for now”, additional funding would be required to sustain schools for the rest of the year.
Van der Merwe confirmed that all schools had received their school nutrition programme funds for the first quarter on February 4.
He added that the funds would be disbursed “meticulously” to ensure the provision of essential learning and support materials, including textbooks, stationery and supplementary learning aids.
He further stated that the funds would also be used for the upkeep of school facilities, repairs and maintenance, hostel subsidies, learner transport and the appointment and remuneration of temporary educators.
“The department has already initiated the process to speed up the seamless allocation and utilisation of these funds. Circulars have been disseminated to all schools, with directives on the expenditure of these resources to ensure maximised impact, fiscal accountability and institutional compliance.
“This financial intervention serves as a testament to the provincial government’s unwavering resolve to address fiscal constraints within the education sector. The department remains steadfast in ensuring the sustained operational efficiency and excellence of our schools,” Van der Merwe concluded.