South African Institute of Race Relations got it wrong!

24 Jul 2012

In an article published by The Sunday Times last week titled "Shock report on schools", dated 22 July 2012, it is clear that the so called research by the Institute of Race Relations is nothing but the Department of Basic Education's own report disguised as South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) Report. The article quotes statistics on the status of infrastructure in schools (among others), based on a "survey" undertaken by the South African Institute of Race Relations.

The department would like to draw your attention to the following:

Firstly, that the information provided by the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) has been drawn from the department's own report on school infrastructure, which is published on the Department of Basic Education's (DBE) website. Consequently, the information quoted in the article is certainly not new and therefore really not "shocking".

The department can only conclude that the Sunday Times has resorted to sensational reporting in order to grab public attention and not to really inform the public. It is strange that the Sunday Times itself did not verify or request comment from the department or award the department sufficient time to respond to the article.

Secondly, it is important for the public to be made aware of errors in the article. The department would like to point out that of the 24 793 schools that were assessed in 2011:

• 5 252 schools had libraries in 2011 and not 252 as reported in the article. This seems to be a capturing error, either on the part of SAIRR or the Sunday Times.
• To our knowledge, there are no schools that used the bucket system for sanitation, in 2011. The 155 schools quoted in the article used chemical toilets and not bucket toilets.
• The use of boreholes for the provision of water is an acceptable measure where there is no water reticulation as is the case with the majority of schools situated in rural areas

Thirdly, while the department acknowledges (as it does in its Action Plan to 2014..), that 100% of all public schools should have access to basic services, it is important for the public to be made aware of progress made with regards to the availability of basic services in schools since 1996.

For instance:

• In 2011, 90 % of schools had access to a supply of water, compared to only 67% in 1996.
• In 2011, 96% of schools had access to some form of sanitation, compared to only 88% in 1996.
• In 2011, 90% of schools had access to electricity, compared to only 43% in 1996.

These trends are indicative of the department's intention to ensure that all children receive a quality education.

Fourthly, the article failed to mention how the department is addressing backlogs in infrastructure and basic services to schools. In 2009, the department developed the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) in order to eliminate all backlogs in schools, including water, sanitation, electricity, fencing, and inappropriate structures.

Budgets for improving school infrastructure have increased substantively over the past few years and there is renewed energy and effort to ensure that targets will be met. The department is working closely with the Departments of Water Affairs and Energy to implement and manage the provision of services to schools.

We are left with no choice but to request SAIRR to apologise to the department or else the department reserves all its rights. Above all, we have already approached Avusa's Public Editor, Mr Joe Latakgomo to rule on this irresponsible reporting.

Statement issued by Panyaza Lesufi, Department of Basic Education, July 24 2012

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