Question NW549 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
17 April 2023 - NW549
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
How does her department intend to deal with overcrowding in schools (details furnished) to maintain the focus on quality education and learning?
Reply:
The Department intends to deal with overcrowding in schools through a programme called Special Intervention Programme on Overcrowding in Schools (SIPOS). The proposal involves the supply of additional classrooms to affected schools at a reduced cost and time, than it would normally cost; and take when following conversional methods of procurement and appointing service providers to reduce overcrowding in schools. This will be done through a strict direct transfer of funds by the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) to schools, and self-built classrooms. Discussions are at an advanced stage with National Treasury for funding.
In the short them, in collaboration with the PEDs, we are continuing with the supply of mobile classrooms in affected schools; and we are establishing satellite schools to accommodate unplaced learners. Some specialist rooms are temporarily used as classrooms to alleviate overcrowding until the self-built programme commences.