DA calls on Gauteng Education MEC to repurpose unused schools

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng said that the closure of 41 public schools in the province as a result of unsafe infrastructure has severely compromised education.

The party said that the closures comes at a time when the province is already battling with overcrowded classrooms and the continued use of asbestos in some schools.

In a written reply tabled in the provincial legislature, Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that 26 schools were shut down due to dolomitic instability and sinkhole formations.

This while 15 other schools were closed due to low enrollment and have been returned to the department of infrastructure or to private owners, while four were repurposed and merged with other schools.

The party has called on the department to repurpose all safe but unused schools to help ease pressure on existing schools.

The DA's Sergio dos Santos said: "These closures over the last 10 years expose the departments ongoing failure to plan ahead and manage infrastructure properly, leaving communities without nearby schools and forcing children into overcrowded classrooms. The DA's calling on MEC Matome Chiloane to repurpose and re-open safe unused schools to ease pressure on overcrowded facilities."