Question NW1926 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
26 May 2023 - NW1926
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With regard to the education crisis in KwaZulu-Natal where over 900 schools are to be closed due to low enrolment, violence and schools built on private land, what are the relevant details of her urgent intervention to accommodate the learners in the schools that are nearer to their place of residence, since the financial implications of transport would be dire for their parents and/or guardians?
Reply:
There are 967 small and unviable schools in KwaZulu-Natal. The province plans to have a phased-in approach to the rationalisation process over several years to mitigate the challenges of scholar transport in particular. The first stage will focus on small and mis-aligned schools, where transport will not be required. This will be followed by the targeted 255 of the 967 schools in the 2023/4 financial year. These are 185 small primary schools with less than 50 learners, and 70 secondary schools with less than 100 learners across the Province. No identified school where transport is required, will be closed or merged until all transport arrangements are finalised and therefore no parent will be financially affected.