Question NW1390 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
12 May 2022 - NW1390
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether she has the power to hold principals of underperforming schools accountable; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the details of the underperforming schools and (b) action has she taken against the principals in the past three years up to the latest specified date for which information is available?
Reply:
1. The Minister does not have the power to hold principals of underperforming schools accountable, but Heads of Department (HODs) do. This is guided by section 58B of the South African Schools Act (SASA), 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996) as amended. According to subsection 1-5 of the SASA, the HoD takes the necessary steps to assist the school. However, Members of the Executive Council (MECs) report to the Minister on the identification, management and support of underperforming schools by 31 March of each calendar year. In the reports, the MECs indicate the challenges that led to underperformance, and the support programmes that will be implemented to deal with underperformance.
2. At the end of each financial year Provincial Education Departments report to the Minister the progress that has been made in supporting schools that have been identified as underperforming.
3 A table showing the number of underperforming schools per province is attached.