ANC supports move to merge small & big schools to form 'mega schools'

CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress (ANC) said it supports the move to create “mega schools” by closing smaller schools and merging them with bigger ones.

The party said these mega schools can accommodate learners from smaller schools, so they don’t have to travel long distances.

The party made the submission during deliberations on the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill currently before Parliament. The bill allows an MEC, by giving notice, to close a public high school with fewer than 200 learners registered and a primary school with less than 135 learners.

Some political parties are opposed to the closing down of schools based just on the number of learners. They said smaller schools are needed to support learners in far-flung and poor areas.

But the ANC’s Nombuyiselo Adoons said the bigger the better.

"The move to have mega schools that will collect learners from these small schools and put them in some kind of a boarding school where they can have meals, where they can have attention and have proper education being given to them."

The Department of Basic Education said schools with fewer learners won’t be closed at all costs and various factors like geography and transport will be considered.