*PRESS RELEASE
While civil society fights against the unjust encroachment on the rights of school governing bodies (SGBs), the doors of learning are closed in Topline Primary by an uncaring SGB that seems more interested in political games than promoting education.
Dr Isak Fritz, DA Northern Cape Premier Candidate, said, “When schools were supposed to reopen on Wednesday 17 January, the gate to Topline Primary School was barred and classes locked. On Thursday and Friday, the school offered a communal programme for the group of 30 to 70 learners who showed up at school. But, while the school is shut down, it is impossible for normal teaching and learning to take place.”
“The motivation for the school shutdown seems flimsy at best. Members of the SGB argue that the school’s physical infrastructure poses a safety risk, but no building inspector or official from the department of Labour declared that there are any risks. When the DA’s provincial spokesperson for Education, Priscilla Isaacs, visited the school on Friday, she found that the premises are neat and well-maintained.”
“The question is why the SGB did not undertake any fundraising or maintenance efforts before resorting to these drastic measures.”
“It is also baffling that the SGB uses the lack of learner transport as apparent motivation. Learners attending the school live within a 1km to 1.5km radius from the premises and, in accordance with national norms, do not qualify for learner transport.”
“It seems that the SGB is playing politics with the future of learners. At a time when 81% of grade 4 learners and 56% of grade 6 learners cannot read for meaning, we cannot afford for primary schools to lose out on a single day of instruction.”
*PRESS RELEASE
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