#CitizensCorner: School Closures

The Talking Point

Last week, one of our listeners shared their distress surrounding the closure of public schools and if this decision would compromise the learning outcomes for affected pupils. Last month, the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape announced that they intend on closing 1142 public schools due to dwindling learner attendance numbers. MEC of Education, Fundile Gade announced this as part of the rationalisation and alignment programme that was gazetted back in August 2021. The consultation process with the affected schools and communities has commenced.

According to the Department of Basic Education, 1 503 schools in South Africa have been permanently closed since 2021. While rationalization and alignment programmes are not new, these initiatives are aimed at restructuring the schooling system for effective resource-allocation at public schools. We have seen similar initiatives undertaken in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Western Cape, particularly after COVID-19 pandemic. In today’s #CitizensCorner, we unpack the implications of this decision by hearing the perspectives of civil society, the teaching fraternity and parents on this important matter affecting communities around the country. We are joined by…

Guest (Telephone): Hendrick Makaneta - Education Specialist

Guest (ZOOM): Vuyiseka Mboxela - Spokesperson for the Department of Education in the Eastern Cape (NOTE: HOD & MEC are attending public consultations)

Guest(Telephone): Malibongwe Ntame - Provincial Chairperson of South African Democratic Teachers Union (Eastern Cape)

Guest (WhatsApp): Matakanye Matakanye - Chairperson of the National Association of School Governing Bodies