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The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education today received a comprehensive updated briefing on the situation in Vuwani, Limpopo, regarding the resumption of schooling after it was disrupted due to community protests.

Committee Chairperson, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, commended the National Department of Basic Education (DBE) as well as its Limpopo counterpart for swiftly responding to the issues in the area especially since it has been a mere casualty as the protests were not due to education but because of a decision by the demarcation board.

The DBE told the Committee term two was greatly disrupted for the close to 53 000 learners of which 42 000, Grade 1 to Grade 11, could still not sit for mid-year exams. A total of 29 schools, mainly in the Vhuronga 2 circuit, were burnt and vandalised. Schooling resumed on 10 August 2016.

The Committee heard that the costs that resulted due to the protests are not finalised. The cost of camps for the about 2 000 Grade 12s that were moved out of the area amounted to R27m. This included food, accommodation, toiletries and food handlers. A further R8m worth of invoices were still outstanding.

The Committee further heard that 31 school days have been lost during the protests. The provincial department has been trying to make this up with long school days and has indicated that schooling will continue during the Spring, September/October school holidays to ensure that learners catch up with all work missed during the protests. Matriculants have also done all work missed during the protests days.

The Committee noted that the Limpopo Department of Education paid in the most for the cost. It, however, is unsure how it will refund the rebuilding or building of the vandalised school. Currently teaching and learning were taking place in mobile classrooms. The department assured members that schooling in the affected areas have normalised.

The Committee further noted that neither the DBE nor the Limpopo Education Department could not guarantee the safety of the learners as the bone of contention, the demarcation question, has not been resolved. Both parties, however, continue to engage role players and stakeholders to try and ensure safe schools and the safety of learners.

Ms Gina said the Committee will continue to monitor the situation in Vuwani till the end of the year. She further encouraged all stakeholders to engage the community and all role players to ensure that schools are always protected.

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