DA demands answers as KZN Learner Transport Programme budget is slashed by R193million
27 June 2023
The DA has called for immediate answers from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Education MEC, Mbali Frazer, following a massive R193million funding cut for the province’s beleaguered Learner Transport Programme (LTP).
The finding comes after a recent briefing by KZN’s Education and Transport departments to the national Department of Basic Education (DBE) portfolio committee members, along with a presentation to the provincial Education portfolio committee.
According to documents (view here and here) the financial allocation has been reduced from R459million in 2022/23 to R266million for the upcoming financial year – a drop of R193million.
There are currently 157 538 KZN learners who still need transport to and from school with R1.6billion required to clear the waiting list. This additional funding is on top of the funding that was required previously. Then there are the 20 528 learners currently utilising overloaded learner transport, with R215million required to rectify this situation.
This brings the programmes total funding shortfall to a staggering R2billion in total. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, KZN’s Taliban-run ANC government has reduced the budget rather than increasing it.
Added to this are learners attending almost 1 000 non-viable KZN schools that are set to be closed. The DoE has promised that they will be provided with learner transport to neighbouring schools. The question is: Where will the money to do this come from?
A recent Education portfolio committee saw officials confirm that the programme will collapse within the next five months unless there is a bail out from either national or provincial treasury. Given that KZN’s treasury’s coffers are empty, this is unlikely to happen.
Not only is this latest saga an example of incompetence on the part of KZN’s so-called Taliban-run ANC government. It is also a clear message that it does not care, does not plan and does not have foresight.
Every day, thousands of KZN’s learners are forced to walk long distances to and from school. They do so in all weather, often under dangerous circumstances, with some having to cross rivers to receive an education.
This untenable situation has existed for years, yet the ANC-deployed cadres in government still cannot get to grips with it. It also comes just weeks after the same provincial government left school children to starve for days after the National Schools Nutrition Programme (NSNP) collapsed.
The DA will insist that MEC Frazer and her department answer for this budget cut within such a critical programme.
The DA-led Western Cape has ensured that every single learner requiring transport has been provided a safe and resourced service. The DA has demonstrated that where we govern, we are capable, we care and we are accountable.
KZN’s people need a government that delivers. The opportunity to make this happen will be at the ballot box in 2024.
Issued by Imran Keeka, DA KZN Spokesperson on Education, 27 June 2023
