DA will lodge complaint with HRC if education MEC misses deadline

DA will lodge complaint with HRC if education MEC misses deadline 

MUSHAKABVU KAJENGO

 The DA left no choice but to approach the Human Rights Commission (HRC) for intervention, if the Mpumalanga education department does not address the education crisis at the Coronation Secondary School in Klarinet, Emalahleni.

“hooling at this newly opened institution severely hampered since the start of the academic year two weeks ago, after the department failed to provide textbooks and other essential study materials.

“In order to keep the school going, the principal has taken it upon himself to procure textbooks from surrounding schools from which he makes copies and gives to learners. This is absolutely preposterous.” Willie Venter said.

The school has also been functioning with little or no basic services resulting in an environment that is not conducive for learning.

“I visited the school and was shocked at what I witnessed. Besides the lack of learning materials, the school has no electricity and experiences sporadic water cuts. Teachers are also under extreme pressure as the school is critically understaffed and educators must spread themselves thinly amongst the 400-plus learner body.” He said.

Its alleged that last week the DA called on MEC Reginah Mhaule to intervene and solve this crisis – a call which, until now, has fallen on deaf ears.

In view of this the DA will give the MEC until Monday to address the problem, and on her failing to do so, DA had planned to lodge a complaint with the Human Rights Commission - on the basis that the learners are being denied their rights to basic education and basic services.