Question NW527 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
16 March 2023 - NW527
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, considering the rate at which leaners between Grade 1 and Grade 12 drop out of school, she has considered placing social workers at each school and/or cluster of schools to provide assistance to principals to help lower and eventually eliminate the drop-out rate; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Due to budget constraints, the Sector is unable to employ social workers per school. Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) employ a limited number of social workers, psychologists and school counsellors per District to respond to the social, emotional, and psychological barriers to learning, which may impact learner performance, achievement and retention. In addition, the PEDs employ learner support agents (LSAs) in selected schools to facilitate access to services. The Department provides capacity building on psychosocial support to the LSAs, in order to strengthen support to learners.