IFP: KZN Department of Education Is in Shambles

19 May 2023

“The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education is in shambles, and is in dire need of competent leadership,” says IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson, Mrs Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, MPL.

This comes after reports that to date, many Section 21 schools have not yet received their funds. These monies are essential as schools are responsible for the procurement of stationery, textbooks and other items. We were shocked to learn that some principals have resorted to taking loans to buy school items. It goes without saying that learning materials for teaching are crucial to the success of learners.

Recently, the Department was caught up in the school nutrition scandal, and now, it appears that it has failed to pay funds for Section 21 schools. These recent scandals have led us to question the leadership skills of the KZN MEC for Education, Mbali Frazer, as well as her counterparts, such as the HOD.

This whole affair is inexcusable. It is a pitiful reflection on the ANC, as it elected the MEC for Education. It further reflects badly on the KZN Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who appointed the incompetent MEC to her Cabinet.

It appears that the KZN Department of Education does not care about the future of our children. How does the Department expect children to learn if schools are not fully resourced? It is an undisputed fact the KZN Education system is in shambles, with overcrowding, infrastructure backlogs, teacher shortages and shortages of teaching and learning resources among the main challenges. Continued failure to address these challenges will continue to have a negative effect on schooling.

The IFP therefore demands answers to the following questions from the KZN MEC for Education, Mbali Frazer:

1. Why have Section 21 schools not been paid?

2. When will the funds be transferred to schools?

3. Have principals been made aware of the delays in the payment of funds?

4. How many schools have not yet been paid?

5. What plans are in place to refund principals who have taken loans to pay for learning materials?

The IFP will continue to monitor this situation closely, to ensure that schools receive the funds that are due to them.

Issued by Thembeni Madlopha-mthethwa, IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson for Education, 19 May 2023