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Following oversight inspections by the Democratic Alliance (DA) today at numerous schools in Gauteng, we call on the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to take urgent action to ensure that learners have access to nutritious meals so that they can concentrate in class and excel in their academics.

Oversights to Prototype Mohlakeng in Mohlakeng, Bosmont Primary School in Bosmont, CJ Botha Secondary School in Newclare, Lofentse Girls High in Orlando East and Noordgesig Secondary School revealed irregular and non-delivery of food at many schools across the province, while others have complained about the quality of food being delivered.

The wrangling over a R1 billion tender for a school feeding scheme has resulted in Gauteng learners being taught on empty stomachs and some not being fed nutritious meals.

In the latest development, the GDE has been challenged by a losing bidder after it admitted that the proper procurement process had not been followed in awarding the R1 billion tender.

In Noordgesig Secondary School, the supplier provides a short supply, and the quality of vegetables is poor, see the photo here. The school has not yet received their stock of chicken livers, and they have received short stock in samp, rice and soya. The school also suspects that the supplier does not have a vehicle to do deliveries.

In most schools, officials complained about delays in the delivery of food, and in some schools, no food was delivered at all. They also raised concerns about the quality and quantity of the food, with many schools reporting that they had received rotten supplies.

They also stated that the current supplier had failed dismally in executing their duties and called on the department to reinstate the previous supplier or find someone competent to handle the feeding scheme. They further mentioned that the district officials had failed to act on their complaints.

It is unacceptable that learners are now the victims of this tender battle, which the department has admitted was issued without following proper procurement procedures. Learners are being denied access to food, which has severe effects on their ability to learn.

The DA demands that GDE move with speed to rectify this situation and ensure that learners have access to nutritious meals so that they can concentrate in class and excel in their academics. Most learners come from disadvantaged backgrounds and the food that they receive at schools is often their only meal for the day.

The DA will continue to conduct oversight inspections of schools to assess the feeding schemes and ensure that all learners have access to an uninterrupted food supply.

Issued by Sergio Isa Dos Santos MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education