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The IFP in KwaZulu-Natal calls on the Education MEC, Peggy Nkonyeni to address the desperate need for additional classrooms at some of the schools in the province to avert an escalating overcrowding crisis facing learners and teachers. "Franklin High School pupils in Kokstad are learning under difficult conditions because of overcrowding and poor infrastructure. The school has more than 780 pupils from Grade 8 to Grade 12. On rainy days they have to use cardboard to cover the broken windows. One wonders what will happen to these pupils and teachers as winter approaches," said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson, Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa MPL.

"The IFP is highly concerned about the negative impact that overcrowding has on the quality of education. Year after year KZN languishes at the bottom of the country's annual assessment of learners, and this will not improve if teachers cannot provide closer attention to learners. Overcrowding is having a severe impact on the pass rates in all grades as learners are not being equipped to cope with the national curriculum thereby dooming them to a life of joblessness and poverty," continued Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.

"Overcrowded classes place an unnecessary strain on both learners and teachers. This is the space where new ideas are taught, explained and debated. Squashing learners into classrooms stifles their chances of a fair education. KwaZulu-Natal needs more schools, more teachers and a better learning environment. To this end, the IFP will submit written questions to the MEC asking her what her department's plans are to address this unacceptable situation, and how soon learners will find relief. The IFP is convinced that the problem with overcrowding lies with poor planning on the part of the Department of Education," concluded Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.

The IFP will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that the needs of KZN learners remain a top priority.

Issued by IFP