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The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education today received a status update on the destruction of schools and disruption of learning and teaching in Vuwani, Limpopo.

The Committee expressed concern about the ongoing loss of learning and teaching time, especially with mid-year examinations a few weeks away. The Committee said that although the challenges and protests did not emanate from any actions of the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the demonstrations had a spill-over effect.

Committee Chairperson Ms Nomalungelo Gina emphasised that education is a constitutional Right. “It is thus disturbing that learning and teaching have not been taking place for so long.”

Despite the mechanisms put in place by government, including providing mobile classrooms for learners, the Committee expressed concern that normality had not returned to the area.

The Director-General in the DBE, Mr Mathanzima Mweli, indicated that the South African Schools Act is being reviewed. “In some of the provisions, it must find expression to say that if you come near our schools, you will see the full might of the law. The justice system must also be merciless. We would like to appeal to Parliament to strengthen legislation.”

The Committee heard that among the alleged perpetrators of the violence is a teacher. The damage to schools has cost R18.8 million and 102 schools have been affected by the protest action.

Ms Gina commended parents that tried to protect schools from vandalism. She emphasised the importance of enforcing the “compulsory school-going age” and encouraged parents not to use their children’s education as a weapon to fight other battles. “We call on those still against the reopening of schools to put the children first.”

Despite Parliament going into recess at the end of this week, Ms Gina recommended regular updates on the situation in Vuwani.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Nomalungelo Gina