Briefing on KwaZulu-Natal Matric Intervention Programme to National Portfolio Committee

The briefing covered the status report on oversight recommendations of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, challenges and mitigations of the National School Nutrition Programme, and discussions on learner transport issues faced by schools in KwaZulu-Natal, along with proposed solutions. The overview by Advocate Masuku highlighted visits to various schools in different districts, emphasizing the importance of addressing the identified issues to ensure quality education for all learners.

• Education
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Matric Intervention Programme
• National Portfolio Committee
• Learner Transport

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1. PRESENTATION TO THE NATIONAL PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON THE 2020 MATRIC INTERVENTION PROGRAMME RECOVERY AND IMPROVEMENT BASIC EDUCATION TUESDAY, 2 MAY 2023 September 2020 GROWING KWAZULU-NATAL TOGETHER GROWING KWAZULU-NATAL TOGETHER 1

2. ITEMS COVERED AS PER THE AGENDA Briefing by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (KZNDOE) on the following: Follow-up and Status Report on Implementation of Oversight Recommendations of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education; and National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) (challenges and mitigations) Oversight Report & Recommendations (Double Click Here) NPC_Recommend ations

3. OVERVIEW BY ADVOCATE MASUKU As part of the School Functionality Programme, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education from the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa visited three districts Zululand District, King Cetshwayo District and Harry Gwala District. Members of the Portfolio Committee were led by the Chairperson whilst the delegation of officials from KwaZulu-Natal was led by DDG: Corporate Services, Adv. Masuku. Collectively, in the Zululand District which was the first to be visited, the team visited KwaMame Full-Service School, Manzezulu ECD Centre, Zamimpilo Special School and Phumanyova Technical High School. In King Cetshwayo District, the team descended on Dover Farm School, Thuthukani Special School, Ilembe Primary School and Tisand Technical High School. In Harry Gwala District, the following schools were visited: Nombewu Full-Service School, Mhlaba Combined School, Vulekani Special School, Kromhoek Primary School, Dingeka Comprehensive Tech and Thandanani Comprehensive.

4. A SUMMARY OF ISSUES RAISED DURING DISCUSSIONS Learner Transport (Dedicated Learner Transport) In many of the schools visited there was a similar outcry about the Learner Transport Programme not being available. The point was debated in some instances with the department outlining the policy in terms of the qualification of schools and learners to benefit from the programme. The department also indicated that budget constrains are amongst the major reasons why the department is unable to provide transport to all qualifying learners. KwaMame Full-Service School has learners with special education needs who come from as far as Ulundi, in excess of 15km, to this school of need but there is no dedicated learner transport. Similarly, there are learners with special education needs at Nombewu Full-Service School who travel more than 10km. There is no dedicated learner transport for them The Hon Members requested the Department to make means to assist the learners in spite of financial constraints facing the Department to ensure that the learners right to basic education is protected. What the Department will do: a) The provision of learner transport is the joint responsibility between the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. In terms of the provincial learner transport policy, it is provided to learners traveling three (3) kilometers to their school of need. b) Public ordinary schools are classified in terms of quintiles. Learner transport is provided to learners attending schools in quintile 1 to 3. c) Learners attending full-service schools are entitled to dedicated learner transport. To this end, the Department is engaged in a process of identifying funds to provide transport to full-service schools.

5. KZN TRANSPORT (BUSES) FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS In the main, two (2) issues were raised. The first one was a request for additional buses and the second issue was that it takes the Department very long to repair or fix broken buses. It can take more than three (3) months to replace the tyres or to get new license discs. Vulekani Special School had both buses not available at the time of the visit (1 February 2023) and as a result more than sixty (60) learners could not attend school. What the Department will do: a) With respect to special schools, the department is aware of some of the challenges and is attending to all of them. It is for this reason that last year a needs analyses were conducted and established that 30 new buses were needed for 75 special schools in the province. These are mainly replacements. To this end, a submission was prepared but due to financial constraints only 15 buses will be procured during the new financial year. b) The Department is aware of the delays in repairs to buses. c) The service provider responsible for servicing and repairing the fleet is sourced through the Department of Transport. d) This contract also provides for the servicing of the entire fleet of the Department, including buses for special schools. e) Upon being alerted to the challenge of a prolonged time it takes for the repairs and service, two meetings were held with the service provider and the Department of Transport. The last meeting was in November 2022. f) The service provider has undertaken to improve its turnaround time. g) A follow up meeting will be held before end of February 2023.

6. INFRASTRUCTURTE In many of the schools visited, the team was satisfied with the level of investment that has been made by the department in the infrastructure. However, there were few schools visited where there was a dire need for infrastructural intervention. One such school where a serious need for intervention was identified is Dover Farm School in King Cetshwayo. The school has very limited ablution facilities. The committee also indicated that more proper classrooms should be built since the school has a lot of mobile classrooms which are also in a very bad state. In Harry Gwala at a school called Mhlaba Combined School, the situation was even worse. The school has a block which had the roof blown away by the freak storm couple of years ago. To make matters worse, the Basic Education Portfolio Committee visited the same school in February 2021 and crafted specific resolutions on issues to be attended to urgently. During the 2023 oversight visit to the same school, it was discovered that the 2021 resolutions had not been attended to. For example, the structure with the roof that was blown away in 2020 was still standing, posing a serious danger to learners. Consequently, the Portfolio Committee wanted to get a proper explanation as to why the resolutions had not been implemented after two years. Amongst other infrastructural issues identified during the visit was the lack of sanitation and ablution facilities in some schools. Those schools include Dover Farm School in King Cetshwayo, Nombewu Full-Service School and Mhlaba Combined School in Harry Gwala District. What the Department will do: a) The department has taken a decision to demolish the block that was damaged by storm at Mhlaba Primary School. The demolition of the structure will commence within the next 24 hours. b) With respect to the ablution facilities, the appointment of the contractor will be finalized by 15 March 2023 and will be on site for a 3-month period of which will be complete on the 14 June 23. c) On the upgrades and additions project, an appointment of PSP will be made on 30 March 2023. The appointment of the contractor will then be appointed on 10 January 2024. d) It is worth noting that considerations have been made on procurement process including utilization of open tender and appeals period.

7. PPN Whilst in many schools visited there were no serious issues with PPN, it was however noted that in special schools and a technical school there was a challenge of weighting of learners. With correct weighting the schools could qualify for more teachers. In all special schools the shortage of support staff was identified as one of the biggest challenges. The Department was asked to work on this matter. What the Department will do: a) PPN certificates were issued to all the schools at the end of 2022. All schools that have experienced an increase in learner enrolment are allowed to submit such increases for adjustments in their PPNs and new posts to be allocated. This is done after the 10th day after the start of each year. b) The allocation of PPN takes into account subjects weighting, this includes technical subjects and special schools. c) It should be noted that due to budget cuts during the current MTEF the department may struggle to fill all substitute posts.

8. FILLING OF POSTS The non-filling of vacant posts for support staff was also raised as a challenge. The major outcry was that even in instances where there have been resignations but there have been no replacements. Special schools are the most affected by that as they have a shortage of professional staff such as nurses and physiotherapists. What the Department will do: a) The filling of vacant posts in special schools and existing attrition posts which do not get filled. b) The department is able to fill all the vacant education posts in special schools. However, due to austerity measures implemented in the province the department has been unable to fill posts for support personnel. c) Two requests to fill 600 identified critical posts in special schools were disapproved by Treasury. The reasons given were that the department could not afford the recurring costs associated with filling those posts.

9. NSNP Thuthukani Special School had three (3) challenges with the provision of NSNP. 1. Not all learners were provided for. In 2022 about 100 learners were not catered for. 2. Per learner allocation was for primary schools whereas the school has 19 year olds. 3. The school did not have volunteer food handlers although it is not a boarding school. What the Department has done: a) All learners will be catered for from 1st April 2023. b) The secondary school per learner allocation will commence on 1st April 2023. c) The school will be provided with two (2) volunteer food handlers from 1st April 2023.

10. SAFETY AND SECURITY IN SCHOOLS In all three districts that were visited schools complained about the lack of safety and security. The Committee pleaded with the department to find some innovative ways to come up with some security measures in schools especially because the Department was providing resources and equipment that may attract criminals. What the Department will do: a) The committee advised the department to help ensure that school principals identify police stations or police personnel with whom they are going to work in ensuring the safety of their schools. (Adopt a cop initiative). b) The committee advised the department to help ensure that school principals identify police stations or police personnel with whom they are going to work in ensuring the safety of their schools. (Adopt a cop initiative). c) In terms of the QLTC each school is required to establish a school safety committee and also to adopt a police from local police station. d) All schools have established the committees. e) Weakness has been identified in this area. f) This will be rectified by ensuring that Districts attend to the relaunching of the QLTCs and also ensuring that safety committees are operational and effectively implemented. g) Districts are to report on this by the end of March 2023.

11. SHORTAGE OF WATER Many schools face the challenge of water shortage and the committee advised that the department must consider installing boreholes in schools. To this end, the department was requested to put aside the budget to deal with this issue. At Vulekani Special School the Department installed a borehole but the quality of water is such that it cannot be consumed by people. It has a lot of acid. The Committee advised the Department to find ways to reduce acid in the water. The Portfolio Committee at their level will engage relevant Departments and stakeholders. What the Department will do: a) The Department will engage the Department of Water for guidance and try to address this challenge (acidic water) before the end of February 2023.

12. QUINTILE RANKING OF SCHOOLS The committee raised serious concerned with some schools with higher quintile rankings but located in impoverished areas. The department was therefore asked to look at this issue. What needs to happen: a) Each affected school will contest the quintile ranking following the normal process and the Department will attend to the matter.

13. CURRICULUM BRANCH MR M. J MAZIBUKO

14. REPORT ON SCHOOL SAFETY School Safety is critical area faced requiring attention at schools as schools, TeachersandLearners are faced with school safety challenges which includes among others burglary, criminals robbing Teachers and Learners at gun point and issues of bullying among Learners. The Department has programmes through which it is meant to prevent unwelcome incidences at schools. The programmes are informed by the National School Safety Framework and the Provincial School Safety Protocol. School Safety Committees All schools in the province have the School Safety Committees. Some of the Committees were found to be dysfunctional during monitoring, reasons cited were that some external stakeholders were not available for meetings. Workshops were conducted to capacitate them on how they could function with the available stakeholders while efforts to mobilize other or absent stakeholders to come on board. The SGB Roadshows were conducted at the beginning of the year where Provincial Officials were deployed to address Principals and SGB Chairpersons as well as stakeholders like the SGB Associations. Here clarity on the structure of the School Safety Committees and their functionality was emphasized. A directive on reviving the structure and engaging in ab advocacy programme was given. More training of 50% of the School Safety Committees is planned for the next quarter as per the Annual Performance Plan. Linkage of schools with Police Stations All schools in the province are linked with police stations. Some schools have complained that some Police Stations are far away from the schools and that some Police Officers are linked with many schools which makes it impractical to service them properly. Other than the challenge for some schools, there is good working relationship between the Department and the Police and Community Safety. Some Police have participated in school safety campaigns at schools and in the QLTC programmes as proof of cordial relationship. School Safety awareness campaigns various school awareness campaigns have been conducted since the beginning of the year across the province. Schools that experienced challenges were the most targeted. To mention but the few: Ekuvukeni Police conducted school safety awareness campaign in some Uthukela schools. A number of government departments were involved in a programme.

15. CODING AND ROBOTICS KZN is piloting C&R in six districts this year, viz Amajuba, Uthukela, Pinetown, King Cetshwayo, Umkhanyakude and Zululand as follows: Grade Number of piloting schools 33 Breakdown of types of schools piloting Multigrade- 4: Full Service- 8: Special- 4: Mainstream- 17 Grades R-6 112 Multigrade- 26: Full Service-13 : Special- 2: Mainstream- 71 Grade 7 115 Multigrade- 1: Full Service- 2: Mainstream- 112 Grade 8 115 Multigrade- 1: Full Service- 2: Mainstream- 112 Grade 9 260 Total number of piloting schools

16. FUNDING AND RESOURCES FOR CODING & ROBOTICS Financial Year 2021/2022 Budget/Expenditure Source of funding Beneficiaries Orientation R6 752 860.44 Skills Levy 610 piloting teachers and subject advisors N/A 244 piloting teachers and subject advisors 7890 Grade R-3 and Grade 7 teachers from non- piloting schools 16 schools Lab Resources Teacher support Nil R3 542 392.92 N/A MST Conditional Grant 2022/2023 Orientation R4 875 186.11 Skills Levy Lab Resources R8.955 000 MST Conditional Grant Learner support: Lego League competitions LTSM for Grade R R178 000 MST Conditional Grant 360 learners R46 663 100 Norms and Standards 6993 Grade R learners Orientation and Content Training Teacher support R10 225 710 Skills Levy 5500 Grade 4-6 and Grade 8-9 teachers from non-piloting schools 300 teachers 2023/2024 R2 135 690 MST Conditional Grant Lab Resources R8.885 620 MST Conditional Grant 13 schools Learner support: Lego League competitions R500 400 MST Conditional Grant One team

17. RESOURCES ALLOCATION FOR CODING & ROBOTICS The laboratory resources that have been procured for each of 16 schools piloting Grade R-6 include 20 learner laptops with a storage trolley, a teacher laptop with bag, a digital projector, magnetic white board, electrical and mechanical components as well as robotic kits and code card sets. They will be delivered in May 2023. Grade R LTSM were delivered in January 2023. Coding and Robotics Competitions Learners from King Cetshwayo participated in various Lego League celebration events and competitions in 2022 and one team will represent South Africa in the Super Powered Challenge in Massachusettes,USA in from 4-12 June 2023. Various partnerships exist with schools in King Cetshwayo, including Casme, UniZulu, ORT SA and Unisa. KZNDoE is funding the team and coaches for the trip. From January- March 2023, SITA conducted a High School Challenge for Grade 8 and 9 piloting schools. Nkosi Ntulakabayise from Umkhanyakude won position 3 and will receive STEM lab equipment to the value of R300 000 from SITA. Orientation of Piloting Teachers - All teachers that were selected to pilot Coding and Robotics have been orientated Piloting cohort Date Number of teachers April 2021 304 Grade R-3 and Grade 7 October 2021 306 Grade 4-6 and Grade 8 26 June 1 July 2022 244 Grade 9 5864 Total number of piloting teachers orientated

18. ORIENTATION OF NON- PILOTING GRADE R-3 AND GRADE 7 TEACHERS IN PREPARATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION TO SCALE District Number Expected Number Attended Number for Mop-up 432 376 56 Amajuba 587 590 -3 Harry Gwala 464 487 23 Ilembe 799 376 56 King Cetshwayo 776 711 65 Pinetown 612 736 -124 Ugu 823 717 106 Umgungundlovu 814 939 -125 Umlazi 656 599 33 Umkhanyakude 680 651 29 Umzinyathi 632 600 32 Uthukela 722 709 13 Zululand 7997 7890 107 TOTAL

19. SKILLS FOR A THE CHANGING WORLD TEACHER UNION COLLABORATION (TUC) Union Lead Educators Teachers SADTU 75 1981 NATU 97 378 NAPTOSA 27 81 TOTAL 199 2440 Lesson Plan Development Provinces were requested to develop scripted lesson plans for all four quarters. KZN chose to assist DBE with Grade 4 and 7 lesson plans and provinces have been provided with the lesson plans. Lesson plans for term 2- 4 are however still awaited from DBE. Computer Hardware and Coding Training Through a partnership between the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and DBE, 13 officials were trained from 23-27 January2023 in Cape Town. The second group of 12 district officials will be trained in Cape Town on 8-12 May 2023. These Subject Advisors constitute the Provincial Training Team (PTT) that will be responsible for training 300 teachers during the current financial year (2022/2023).

20. Forthcoming Activities Delivery of resources for 2022/2023 financial year Mediation of resources Orientation for Grade 4-6 and Grade 8-9 teachers from non-piloting schools Computer Hardware and Coding training for Subject Advisors and teachers Procurement of resources for 2023/2024 financial year Learner competitions Monitoring and supporting implementation Successes The province orientated 7890 Grade R-3 and Grade 7 teachers in preparation for implementation to scale KZNDoE will fund a team of learners from King Cetshwayo who will represent South Africa in the Super Powered Lego Competition in Massachusettes, USA from 4-12 June 2023, through the MST Conditional Grant Nkosi Ntulakabayise won STEM lab resources worth R300 000 in the SITA High School Challenge. The Department increased the router and data package with Vodacom from 20 Gigs to 100 Gigs for the rollout of C&R orientation from August 2022. Challenges DBE has not opened the use of the new Moodle Platform from Sasol. Teachers who did the course last year need to receive the system generated certificate. The province also needs access to the new platform in order to commence orientation of Grade 4-6 and Grade 8-9 teachers. Coding and Robotics resources are expensive Supply chain processes are slow because most resources have to be imported Burglaries and theft of ICT resources at school level is a problem and most schools cannot afford insurance.

21. FINANCE BRANCH MR L. RAMBARAN

22. PROGRESS REPORT FOR THE 2022/23 TRANSFERS TO SCHOOLS In terms of the legislative requirements and policies with regards to dates for Transfers to be effected to schools, the following relates: Transfers to Public Ordinary Schools [Basic Allocation (40%)] must be effected by 15 May. Transfers to Special Schools must be effected by 15 May each year. All other Transfers dates will be made on the approval of the Accounting Officer. All Non - Compliant schools should have been visited and assisted and a full report had to be submitted to the office of the CFO in order to make Virements from Transfers to Goods and Services. (No learner must be denied the use of Norms and Standards funding because of poor management). Transfers to schools for the 2022/23 financial period. The following transfers have been identified: Basic Allocation (40%) for Public Ordinary Schools LTSM (60%) for Public Ordinary Schools Petty Cash for No Fee Section 20 Schools Inclusive/Full-Service Schools Independent Schools Special Schools Pre Prim in POS

23. TRANSFERS WHOLE DEPARTMENT Appropriation Amount Transferable Payments Captured 822 539 000 816 727 000 814 903 173 P2 S21 Basic Allocation 501 064 000 506 909 000 517 540 964 P2 S21 LTSM 6 977 000 6 977 000 6 783 047 P2 Non S21 No Fee Petty Cash 15 384 000 16 739 000 15 210 228 P2 Inclusive/Full Service 93 292 000 93 292 000 92 217 000 P3 Independent Schools 148 686 000 148 683 000 148 685 411 P4 Special Schools 30 240 000 30 245 000 30 553 336 P5 Pre-Prim in POS It should be noted that this is the preliminary report for the department and journals are still being processed to correct misallocations. This influences certain expenditure outcomes within categories.

24. BRANCH: IDS MS W. N HADEBE

25. ZULULAND DISTRICT VISIT Kwamame Full-Service School Portfolio Committee Recommendation: Urgently prioritise and address challenges with regards to learner transport for those who qualify for the service, especially learners with special needs, by the first quarter 2023/24 Response: Learners with mild to moderate special needs must be supported in mainstream schools within their communities to the closest schools. There is no provision for dedicated transport of learners in full- service schools. If a learners attends a full-service school as a school of choice, then the cost of transport is borne by the parent. Zamimpilo Portfolio Committee Recommendations: The Department must consider supplying the school with an additional bus for scholar transport as requested within 90 days of adoption of this report Response: 10 buses have been procured for Special Schools of which Zamimpilo will be prioritized to receive a 35-seater bus to alleviate the challenge of learner transport 25

26. ZULULAND DISTRICT VISIT cont.. Zamimpilo cont.. Portfolio Committee Recommendations: The Department should consider supplying the school with additional support staff as well as professional staff (Speech therapists, professional nurse and dietician etc.). The school also be assisted with additional educators. Response: The Department has prioritized the appointment 333 support staff vacancies in special schools by June 2023. Zamimpilo is included in the prioritized list to receive additional support staff. In addition, a multisectoral meeting with Dept. of Health meeting to discuss the possible way of collaborating in the provision of professionals in special schools. The recommendation was made that Department of Health provide the professionals psychologists, therapists and professional nurses. The department of social development would utilize their social worker in the program that says one social worker per ward who will be attached to provide services. The DoE`s transversal team of therapists will also be supporting our special schools. . 26

27. KING CETSHWAYO DISTRICT VISIT Thuthukani Special School Portfolio Committee Recommendation: The Department must ensure the school is assisted with additional scholar transport, especially for special needs learners before the end of the 2nd term school in 2023/24 Response: The Department of Education will next prioritize this school to receive one of the 10 buses procured for this financial year, for the transportation of learners to school. Portfolio Committee Recommendation: The Department must consider filling all frozen posts that existed at the school and not treat the school as an ordinary school within 120 days of the adoption of this report Response: The Department has prioritized the appointment 333 support staff vacancies in special schools by June 2023. The list of support staff required by Thutukani SS is being prioritized for advertisement and appointment by June 2023. 27

28. HARRY GWALA DISTRICT Nombewu Full-Service School Portfolio Committee Recommendation: Ensure that qualifying learners, especially special needs learner received the necessary scholar transport, within 90 days of adoption of this report. Kromhoek Full -Service School Portfolio Committee Response: Ensure all qualifying learners benefit from the scholar transport programme Response: Learners with mild to moderate special needs must be supported in mainstream schools within their communities to the closest schools. There is no provision for dedicated transport of learners in full- service schools. If a learners attends a full-service school as a school of choice, then the cost of transport is borne by the parent. 28

29. HARRY GWALA DISTRICT Vulekani Special School Portfolio Committee Recommendations: Filling of vacancies to address staff shortages, especially support staff Response: The Department has prioritized the appointment 333 support staff vacancies in special schools by June 2023. The list of support staff required by Vulekani SS is being prioritized for advertisement and appointment by June 2023. Portfolio Committee Recommendations: Addressing challenges with buses for learner transport Response: The Department of Education has prioritized this school to receive one 60-seater bus of the 10 buses procured for this financial year. 29

30. SCHOOL RATIONALISATION AND REALIGNMENT Portfolio Committee Questions and Observations Members mentioned that non-viable schools needed to be attended to by the Department. The Department needed to consider closing/merging possible non-viable schools to alleviate learner transport challenges. Response from Department of Education: As the Department we are in the process of resuscitating boarding facilities in our schools to accommodate learners from the closed schools as part of our school consolidation project. The school s consolidation project will reduce pressure from Department in providing learner transport to small schools. - Currently the province has two schools in the SRRP consolidation project i.e Umsinga High school at Umzinyathi District with an enrolment of 111 learners and Sukuma Comprehensive High school at Umgungundlovu District with an enrolment of 284 learners. 30

31. SRRP IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ACTION STAGES TARGET DURATION PHASE 1 PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH LEF 0-50 Total = 185 PRIMARIESSECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH LEF 0-100Total = 70 SECONDARIES PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH LEF 50-100 Total = 303 PRIMARIES 2023-2024 FINANCIAL YEAR TOTAL = 255 PHASE 2 2024-2026 FINANCIAL YEAR TOTAL = 379 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH LEF 100 - 150 Total = 76 SECONDARIES PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH LEF 100 - 134 PHASE 3 2026-2028 FINANCIAL YEAR Total = 263 PRIMARIES TOTAL = 333 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH LEF 150-199 Total = 70 SECONDARIES PRIMARIES = 751 SECONDARIES = 216 TOTAL = 967 2023-2028 FINANCIAL YEARS 31

32. LEARNER TRANSPORT Phumanyova Secondary School Portfolio Committee Recommendation: Ensure qualifying learners receive scholar transport. Dover Combined Farm School Portfolio Committee Recommendation: Ensure consideration of the school for scholar transport, within 90 days of adoption of this report. Tisand Comprehensive Technical School Portfolio Committee Recommendation: The Department ensure that learners who qualified for scholar transport are able to benefit from scholar transport. Dingeka Technical High School Ensure that qualifying learners receive scholar transport. 32

33. RESPONSE BY DOE ON LEARNER TRANSPORT Despite continued budgetary constraints which persist to affect the provision of dedicated learner transport in KZN, government has, for over a decade now, been providing learner transport to thousands of qualifying learners who travel long distances to their schools of need. This is government s recognition of the unenviable situation that many learners find themselves in where, without such government intervention, they would find it difficult to access their education. Many of these learners would have to travel dangerous terrains on foot without learner transport, which would put their lives at risk. Over 70 000 learners are currently being transported to school through the dedicated learner transport programme on a daily basis at no cost whatsoever to their parents or guardians. These are learners who travel a minimum distance of three (3) kilometers to the nearest appropriate school. Admittedly, there are thousands more learners who qualify to benefit from dedicated learner transport, but who do not benefit as a result of budgetary constraints. The department is in regular contact with Provincial Treasury to find ways to address this hurdle, as well as the attendant scourge of unavoidable overloads. The financial crunch that is affecting the whole of the Republic has been the main inhibitive factor for there to be a viable solution to this challenge. Be that as it may, the dedicated learner transport programme has played a very important role in the lives of thousands of our learners by ensuring that they have access to their education. The Department will continue to put more efforts to finding ways to ensure that the number of benefiting learners increase in the province. 33

34. SPECIAL SCHOOL & FULL SERVICE SCHOOLS This section provides the progress made in addressing the findings and resolutions made by the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on Special Schools and Full-Service Schools. One Special and one Full-Service School was selected in each District. These Schools were all visited. Considerable discussions were made on the status of the infrastructure at these Schools. 34 34

35. KWA-MAME FULL-SERVICE SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Urgent repairs to two (2) mobile classrooms Included in the District Maintenance Plan. Repairs to two mobile classrooms, walking rails and concrete slabs to morning devotion area has been completed . Practical completion has been achieved. COMPLETED 30 JANUARY 2023 Unreliable water supply Installation of Borehole scheduled for end of May 2023. Department had various engagement with the Zululand Municipality. The Municipality indicated that they do not have capacity. The Department resolved on installation of a Borehole. A contractor has been appointed to implement the project. ZULULAND It is anticipated that the projected will be completed end of May 2023. UNDERWAY 35 35

36. KWA-MAME FULL-SERVICE SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Provision of Mobile NSNP Kitchen The School has an NSNP Kitchen they were using as a storage. However, the Principal was advised to use the kitchen for its intended purpose. Resolved. 30 JANUARY 2023 ZULULAND High temperatures in mobile classrooms during summer seasons & very low temperatures in winter. The School was informed that they may use the Norms & Standards for the installation of air-conditioners on classrooms. Closed DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Blocked drainages Included in the District Maintenance Plan. A contractor has been deployed for desludging of the Septic Tank. 30 JANUARY 2023 The desludging is scheduled to be concluded before the 5th May 2023. ZULULAND 36 36

37. ZAMIMPILO SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Unreliable water supply to the school. District to engage with local municipality to address water supply. The Department drilled the Borehole. Water was not reached. 30 JANUARY 2023 The School is obtaining water from the Municipality s Water Scheme. The water tanks at the School are filled weekly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. ZULULAND UNDERWAY Additional learning spaces The Department is planning to build a new school as part of addressing the learning space challenges. The Design team is developing designs. The project will be taken for: Gateway Review in July 2023; Tender October 2023 and Commencement February 2024. of construction in 37 37

38. THUTHUKANI SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Old water pipes for reticulation & blocked storm water management system. Included in the District Maintenance Plan for 2023/24 FY The implementation of the project is being planned in Phases taking into cognizance the risk of the learners at the School. The first phase involves the provision of smoothening network. The second repairing damaged replacing old pipes and storm water drainage. First Phase 1 is anticipated to commence in July 2023. No storm-water drainage for new playground Included in the District Maintenance Plan for 2023/24 FY ramps the and walkway 31 JANUARY 2023 phase involves pipes Most classrooms not accessible with wheelchair users. Included in the District Maintenance Plan for 2023/24 FY or KING CETSHWAYO Internal roads unsafe. Included in the District Maintenance Plan for 2023/24 FY Access road to school unsafe from the Main Road damaged by erosion and buses. SGB and SMT to approach Municipality. Discussions between SGB, SMT and the Municipality are underway. 38 38

39. NOMBEWU FULL-SERVICE SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Bills of Quantities for the maintenance and repair works completed. Construction commence in July 2023. have been Requires maintenance and repairs to ablution facilities. Included Maintenance Plan in the District anticipated to 1 FEBRUARY 2023 The Upgrades and Additions project of this school is scheduled for 2024/25 FY. HARRY GWALA Community built block which poses a safety risk to learners and educators School to be included in the IPMP for Major Upgrades & Additions in 2024/25 FY An appointed to commence the planning phases of the upgrades and additions of this school. Implementing Agent was 39 39

40. PUBLIC ORDINARY SCHOOLS This section provides the progress made in addressing the findings and resolutions made by the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on Public Ordinary Schools. Two Public Ordinary Schools were visited in Zululand and King Cetshwayo Districts. Three Public Ordinary Schools were visited in the Harry Gwala District. Considerable discussions were made on the status of the infrastructure at these Schools. 40 40

41. PHUMANYOVA HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Need additional ablution facilities. Current learner ablution facility ratio is 1:62. Provision of additional ablution facilities to be included in the 2023/24 FY. The construction of the School was completed on the 14th December 2022. The School was designed for 1 000 learners. The School enrolment is currently at over 2 000 learners. The District has been advised to inform the Principal not to over enroll. Over enrolling negatively affect enrolment of nearby schools thereby creating non-viable schools. 30 JANUARY 2023 ZULULAND 41 41

42. MANZEZULU PRIMARY SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Mobile classrooms floors need repairs Implementation of the project prioritised in the Implementation Plan Bills of Quantities for the procurement of the contractor have been prepared. Commencement anticipated for July 2023 after the conclusion of processes. 30 JANUARY 2023 of construction all procurement Old fence Implementation of the project prioritised in the Implementation Plan Bills of Quantities for the procurement of the contractor have been prepared. Commencement anticipated for July 2023 after the conclusion of processes. of construction ZULULAND all procurement Classrooms repairs Included in the District Maintenance Plan for 2022/23 FY Completed. DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE NSNP Kitchen Provision of NSNP Kitchen is prioritised Implementation Plan Orders for the provision of the NSNP Kitchen have been placed. Delivery of the NSNP Kitchen is anticipated in May 2023. JANUARY ZULULAND 2023 30 42 42

43. DOVER FARM SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Repairs to existing mobile classrooms Provision of new mobile classrooms prioritised in the Implementation Plan The assessments made after the visits of the Portfolio Committee of Basic Education indicated that the existing mobile classrooms were irreparable. Orders for new mobile classrooms were placed. Delivery for classrooms anticipated in June 2023. 31 JANUARY 2023 new mobile Overcrowding and dilapidated infrastructure. Planning for the Upgrades & Additions project underway. The Department has started the planning for the upgrades and additions to the Dover Farm School. Additional learning spaces will be provided through this project. Construction is anticipated to commence in the second quarter of the 2024/25 FY. KING CETSHWAYO 43 43

44. TISAND HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Leaking classrooms, falling ceiling, storm water drainage problems & kitchen too small. School under Major Repairs for Flood Damage (April 2022). Commencement of construction works is delayed due to finalization of the Real Time Audit process the programme was subjected to. The implementation of this project is now planned for second quarter of 2023/24 FY. 31 JANUARY 2023 KING CETSHWAYO 44 44

45. ILEMBE PRIMARY SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Request of 3 Grade R Classrooms as the school is using standard classrooms. The construction of Grade R classrooms is prioritised in the Implementation Plan Planning for the construction of Grade R classrooms has commenced. Construction anticipated to commence in the fourth quarter of the 2023/24 FY. 31 JANUARY 2023 KING CETSHWAYO 45 45

46. MHLABA SECONDARY SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Block demolished on the 2nd February 2023. School has unsafe, storm damaged block. Block to be demolished urgently Planning for the upgrading of the school has commenced. Construction anticipated to commence in the second quarter of 2024/25 FY. School will be included in the IPMP Upgrades & Additions in 2024/25 FY School has mobile classrooms, requires new fence. 1 FEBRUARY 2023 for Major Mobile toilets have since been removed. Just Loo left their mobile toilets. These are causing a health risk to the learners and educators Department instructed the IA to ensure that the mobile toilets are removed. HARRY GWALA Contractor has been appointed for the construction of ablution facilities. Construction works to commence in May 2023. Completion scheduled for 14 June 2023. Construction of ablution facilities is prioritised in the Implementation Plan School urgently requires ablution facilities 46 46

47. VULEKANI SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE The engagement took place, and an agreement was reached that the school will fill containers for drinking water so that during Municipal cut- off times the schools can have water. The municipality line is being switched off to manage water usage in the area, hence decanting plan is in place. HARRY GWALA 1 Water Municipality is not reliable. supply by the SGB & SMT to approach Municipality FEBRUARY 2023 The Department has appointed Specialists to provide tests for the water quality and provide solutions on the filtration and or purification mechanisms required. Department to explore water treatment alternatives make the water palatable. Borehole water is acidic to 47 47

48. KROMHOEK PRIMARY SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Contractor has been appointed for the construction of ablution facilities. Construction works to commence in May 2023. Completion scheduled for 14 June 2023. The Upgrades and Additions project is anticipated to go on tender in July 2023 and construction is anticipated to commence in November 2023. 1 FEBRUARY 2023 School additional additional classrooms requested toilets Upgrades project stage. and under Additions planning HARRY GWALA and 48 48

49. DINGEKA TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT DATE OF VISIT FINDINGS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN STATUS TO DATE Maintenance existing ablution facilities prioritised Implementation Plan Works of A contractor has been appointed to undertake the maintenance and repair works to existing ablution facilities. The Department has commenced the planning for the conversion of the Dingeka Technical High School into a Fully Fledged Technical High School. Construction is planned for the 2024/25 FY and anticipated to commence in the 1st quarter. The Department has appointed Specialists to provide test the water quality and provide solutions on the filtration and or purification mechanisms required. 4 Toilet blocks are in poor condition. in the 2 FEBRUARY 2023 The school is part of technical programme implemented Department. school being the Classrooms and workshops overcrowding by HARRY GWALA Conduct water test on the existing Borehole. Prioritised Implementation Plan in the 49 49

50. ERADICATION OF PIT LATRINES 1377 Schools were initially identified to be having pit latrines. The Department since the identification of these Schools pursued eradication of pit latrines. Various implementing Agents were engaged in order to quicken the eradication of pit latrines. Different construction methodologies were also adopted. The implementation of the Programme was haunted by numerous changes amongst them; disruptions by Business Forums and local communities, Covid-19 lockdown national shutdown, Budget cuts, July 2021 unrest, Business rescue of several contractors, limited capacity of contractors and Professional Service Providers. Despite these challenges, the Department continued with the implementation of the Programme. 50 50

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