Question NW323 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
22 February 2023 - NW323
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department intends intervening under the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic, 1996, to ensure that more schools are built across all provinces; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Under the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI programme), the Department of Basic Eduction identified 331 schools made entirely of inappropriate materials. By February 2023, the Department has already replaced 315 of these schools. The balance will be completed in 2023/24.
2. The various Provincial Departments of Education prepare annual asset management plans where infrastructure needs are defined. In 2022/23, the target was to complete 38 new schools. By December 2022, 16 of such schools had already reached Practical Completion. In 2022/23, the target was to construct 1094 additional classrooms. By December 2022, this target was exceeded with 1154 new classrooms constructed.
3. Over-crowding in schools is a major challenge. The Minister of Basic Education and the Minister of Finance are negotiating the extension of the School Infrastructure Backlog Grant beyond 2023/24. One of the focus areas will be to address over-crowding. Following the address on the budget, more details of the planned approach will be defined.