MEC of Education in Mpumalanga: Bonakele Majuba
By Kopano Dibakwane
With less than 60 days left before matric students sit for their final examination from 30 October, MEC for education in Mpumalanga-Bonakele Majuba, met with chairpersons of SGB’s(school governing bodies), principals and presidents of the representative council of learners in Ehlanzeni district, to request parents and community members in Mpumalanga to support learners and teachers in this crucial time of the academic year.
According to Majuba, the department intends to ensure that all learners pass their grade, or at least settle for the targeted 83% pass rate, with focus on subjects such as mathematics, physical science and technology, which are essential for success in the 21st century for their potential to open doors in institutions.
” The province has established the OR Tambo mathematics, science and technology academy to provide the requisite support to schools and capacitated teachers on these subjects. The intention is to establish at least one technical high school in each circuit,” said Majuba.
The MEC said that the department is facing a backlog of school infrastructure, due to growing populations in areas such as Mbombela and White River. He also revealed that a number of schools in areas such as; Malelane, Nkomazi, Tonga, are beneficiaries of infrastructure development projects which focus on construction of new standard classrooms, renovation of administration blocks and the provision of fence/palisade, to name a few.
” The department has appointed multiple implementation agencies to fast-track the construction and maintenance of schools. There are 55 school infrastructure projects that are being implemented throughout the province and have been distributed in the four educational districts and across different municipalities,” he said.
Other issues raised by Majuba during the meeting include, infighting amongst SGB’s, school disruptions due to service delivery protests, the eradication of pit toilets in schools, to name but a few.
