Thousands of Gauteng learners are being taught in overcrowded classrooms because the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development is failing to complete over 20 abandoned and incomplete schools in the province.
The environment in which Gauteng learners are being taught is not conducive to delivering quality education.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has a budget allocation to build new schools and renovate dilapidated school infrastructure. The Department of Infrastructure Development constantly fails to deliver on time and within budget.
For far too long, the DA has been demanding that GDE must be responsible for building its own schools because the Department of Infrastructure Development has failed.
Of these over 20 abandoned and incomplete schools, 10 projects were awarded in the past five years which are Nanciefield Primary School, Rus Ter Vaal Secondary School, Ahanang Intermediate Primary School, Bramfischerville Primary School, Thubelihle Primary School, Hillcrest Primary School, Mayibuye Primary School, LG Holele Secondary School, Laerskool Frikkie Meyer, Kwadedangendlale Secondary School.
This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development, Lebogang Maile, in a written reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).
According to MEC Maile, many of these incomplete and abandoned school projects have gone over budget and have not been completed within the stipulated timeframes. For example, the initial cost of the Hillcrest Primary School project was R9 310 577, they have spent R10 280 106, and the estimated cost of the project is R19 946 099. The same with Mayibuye Primary School, the initial contract was R88 823 181, they have spent R98 766 350, and the estimated cost for the project is R125 843 775.
The Department of Infrastructure Development’s poor planning and lack of oversight of school projects has resulted in money wasted on projects.
The DA reiterates its call for the GDE to manage its own infrastructure projects and directly account for resources allocated to improve teaching and learning conditions. We will be tabling follow up questions to establish whether the incomplete and abandoned school projects will be completed before the end of the 2023/24 financial year.
By Khume Ramulifho MPLÂ – DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education
