Question NW1505 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
15 May 2023 - NW1505
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, with reference to the reply to question 966 on 24 April 2023, and given that the total number of schools without laboratories is 19 694 and the total number of schools without libraries is 17711, there are any plans in place to address the shortage of laboratories and libraries, in an attempt to meet the demand; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure provides that:
(i) " All schools must have a school library or a media centre and a minimum, adequate and suitable school library collection." These may be in a form of a mobile library, cluster library, classroom library, centralised library or a community library. Since the promulgation of the Regulations, all new and replacement schools are being provided with libraries and there are also standalone programmes by PED's to provide these. Of the schools that have provided information, 3 205 primary schools have corner libraries and information is being collated on these and schools using mobile and community libraries. Further, over 213 000 learners have been provided with learner devices and connectivity in the 2022/23 financial year only. This gives these learners access to reading material through online libraries.
(ii) With regard to laboratories, all schools that offer science subjects must be provided with a laboratory. This can be in a form of a fixed laboratory, mobile laboratory or in a form of a classroom or safe container as determined by the school. All new and replacement schools are also being provided with laboratories and there are also standalone programmes by PED's to provide these.
COMPILED BY:
MR E RAMASEDI MAFOKO
DIRECTOR: GRAND MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE
DATE: 09/05/2023
OFFICIALS INVOLVED
QUESTION NO: 1505. IS APPROVED
MR D VANDERWESTHUIJZEN
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL: SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE
DATE: 11/05/2023
QUESTION NO: 1505. IS APPROVED
DR G WHITTLE
ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE: 11/05/2023
QUESTION NO: 1505. IS APPROVED
DR MR MHAULE, MP
DEPUTY MINISTER
DATE: 12/05/2023
QUESTION NO: 1505. IS APPROVED
MRS AM MOTSHEKGA, MP
MINISTER
DATE: 15/05/2023