The Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr. Thabang Makwetla, will join a community initiative to assist approximately 150 learners who do not have, or cannot afford, school uniform in the Sekhukhune District Municipality tomorrow (Friday, 23 January 2015).

The Motetema Economic Development Forum has identified disadvantaged learners at two primary schools as a result of poverty in their households, and is coordinating assistance for these learners.

Research has proved that poverty remains a factor in school drop-outs, despite pro-poor barriers to address barriers to access. This is partly because learners from disadvantaged households continue to be faced with other access costs: uniform in particular remains a burden for poor households and in some cases a barrier to access.

Meanwhile, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has launched a nation-wide campaign, as schools commenced their first term for 2015 this month, where offenders and DCS officials are busy refurbishing schools, establishing school gardens, painting, cutting the grass and trees, clearing bushes and cleaning yards.

In the Western Cape tomorrow (23 January), DCS, in partnership with stakeholders, will be handing over school shoes to disadvantaged learners at Wesbank Primary School where at least 60% of Grade 3 learners have been struggling to get proper school uniform. 

Details of the event are as follows:

Date: Friday, 23 January 2015
Time: 9h30 for 10h00
Venue: Sekhukhune FET College, CS Barlow Campus (Motetema), Groblersdal, Mpumalanga         

We wish to request media attending to please confirm attendance with Sarie Peens at Sarie.Peens@dcs.gov.za or 082 331 3556.