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Gauteng learners in some schools across the province missed some days of schooling last week because communities disrupted learning and teaching.

Communities are protesting over a lack of much-needed learning resources hindering the delivery of quality education at their schools.

The DA demands that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) urgently find measures to bring calm and stability to all the affected schools.

For far too long, the DA has been calling on GDE to prioritise fixing school infrastructure and replacing asbestos schools with brick-and-mortar structures.

Nancefield Primary, Realogile High, Sivusile Primary, Sekampaneng Primary form part of the provinces schools which have experienced some form of disruptions over bad infrastructure.

Nancefield Primary School has experienced unnecessary delays in completing a brick-and-mortar structure. The contractor has abandoned the site.

The school is receiving threats as there are claims that the mobile facilities they are using have not been paid for.

In Realogile Secondary School in Khutsong, there has been no schooling since February due to sinkholes.

The department has identified an alternative venue for schooling to take place; however, there have been delays in providing all the necessary services and resources.

Delays by the department in providing learning resources such as adequate infrastructure, stationery, tables and chairs have resulted in communities disrupting schooling.

The DA does not condone any violent acts or any form of violence or intimidation against learners and teachers. We plead with the affected communities to find amicable ways to engage the department without disrupting schooling.

Disruption of schooling deprives learners of access to education, which severely impacts their future. The learners will fall behind in their curriculum, affecting their academic performance.

The DA will continue to put pressure on GDE to urgently provide adequate resources to the affected schools and engage the concerned communities.

We will not allow our children to suffer due to the department’s failure to deliver learning and teaching resources.

Issued by Khume Ramulifho MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education