Question NW1184 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

Reply:

1. Mhlanagazane Primary School had only 83 learners by the end of 2021.

• It is classified as a small and non-viable school in terms of the Government Notice No. 37081 on minimum uniform norms and standards for public school infrastructure.
• It is planned to be merged with Phumelele Primary School for quality teaching and learning and maximum use of resources to the benefit of all learners. The merger and closure will be as per sections 12A and 33 of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996, as amended.

(2)       whether her department has consulted the community on the decision; if not, why not; if so, what are the views of the community on the closure of the school?           

Response:

         Mhlanagazane consultations:

There were a number of consultations that were done for the closure of Mhlangazane Primary and its merger with Phumelele Primary. There were consultations on the following dates:

11 June 2019; 19 June 2019; 9 September 2019; and 7th June 2021 (Parents meetings).

• Views of the community

The Chief of Esandleni and some members of the community mentioned that the school is the only Government structure available in the area and on those grounds, they wanted the school not to be closed or merged with Phumelele Primary.

Other members of the community who are in support of the closure and merger of Mhlangazane with Phumelele Primary schools have since removed their children and registered them at Phumelele.

As it stands, there is no likelihood that learner enrolment at Mhlangazane Primary will increase. Under such circumstances, the school will forever have the challenge of not receiving effective teaching and learning.