Question NW119 to the Minister of Basic Education

Reply:

 

ANSWER:

The school is not on the Department’s current Estimate of Capital Expenditure (ECE) and not listed as an immediate priority. However, the Department will be sending a Works Inspector to the school to assess if there is an immediate need for renovations at the school before the end of March 2020. The outcome of this assessment will inform the Department’s next course of action, subject to the availability of budget.

It must be noted that the Department has renovated the school recently as follows:

Electrical Work for R274,854.60 in August-September 2016.

Palisade Fence for R406,400.00 in October-November 2018.

It must also be noted that:

- The South African Schools Act, 84 of 1996 as amended, provides that the School Governing Body is responsible to maintain and improve the school's property, buildings and grounds occupied by the school, including school hostels, if applicable. Therefore, the School Principals and School Governing Bodies are responsible for the day to day maintenance and minor repairs of the school.

- The Schools are provided a subsidy allocation, linked to learner enrolment figures and 12% of the subsidy is ring fenced to deal with the basic day to day maintenance and minor repairs of facilities. These works include minor maintenance that includes but is not limited to replacing window panes, door handles, paintings and replacing plumbing fixtures.

- The Provincial Department is responsible for complex work and additional infrastructure, like major rehabilitation of buildings, major civil works for the storm water management system, cracks in a wall of more than 5 mm wide, etc.

Kind Regards,

MR ANDREK (PANYAZ) LESUFI, MPL
MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: EDUCATION
DATE: 2020/03/16