More than 50% schools found in ‘very poor’ found in eastern cape

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Western Cape and Gauteng reported the lowest proportion, both the provinces have zero schools in a very poor condition.

More than 50% of public schools have been declared in “very poor” conditions in the eastern cape.

This was described on the Portfolio Committee of Parliament on Tuesday on basic education during the presentation department of the Department of Basic Education.

The latest assessment of the department highlights the issues of severe infrastructure in the provinces, leading to schools with eastern capes which are classified in significant disorder.

According to the presentation, 220 out of 390 schools in poor conditions across the country are located in Eastern Cape.

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Condition data by province

The breakdown of schools in a very poor situation is as follows:

  • Eastern Cape: 220 out of 5 022
  • Free State: 9 out of 937
  • Northern Cape: 5 of 546
  • Limpopo: 46 out of 3 622
  • Mpumalanga: 59 of 1 632
  • Quazulu-Natal: 10 out of 5 790
  • North West: 41 of 1 445
School status rating by education facilities management system. Picture: Supplied

Western Cape and Gauteng reported the lowest proportion, both the provinces have zero schools in a very poor condition.

At the national level, 2,682 out of 22,529 public schools – only 12% – is classified in a ‘excellent’ position.

Quazulu-Natal has the highest ratio of schools rated in excellent position at 35%.

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National outlook paint grim picture

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube accepted the progress in the school infrastructure, but emphasized that “the infrastructure is not a destination”.

The minister insisted that apart from historic backlogs, the region should continuously respond to modern-day pressures, including congestion, migration and school maintenance.

The Parliament in Parliament on Tuesday in Parliament said, “The infrastructure is not only about bricks and mortar. It shows how much we give education as a nation. Quality cannot be in the learning environment that is unsafe or lack of dignity.”

Despite the progress, the department revealed that 8% of the schools are in poor condition, and 2% in a very poor condition.

“It may seem 2% small, but it is still a lot of schools, and many children are being taught under unsafe situations,” the minister warned.

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