Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Michael Waters MPL.
95% of schools in Gauteng have not been evaluated for structural safety, putting the lives of learners and teachers in danger. The lack of inspections for these schools is putting learners and teachers at risk of hazardous conditions that might result in injuries or worse, death. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) prioritise school inspections to ensure safe learning and teaching environments in preparation for the upcoming academic year.
The shocking revelations surfaced from a written response by the Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, in reply to a DA question in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).
According to Mamabolo, only 105 out of the 2,061 public schools in Gauteng, which represent 5%, have been inspected for structural integrity over the past five years. Yet, the MEC acknowledges that the Government Immovable Asset Management Act (GIAMA) (Act No. 19 of 2007) prescribes that the custodian of the immovable assets, in this case the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (GDID), has the responsibility of assessing the condition of the immovable asset at least every fifth year.
MEC Mamabolo further revealed that the GDID has, over the preceding years, undertaken comprehensive condition assessments of the forty-eight (48) schools, which equate to 2.3% of all Gauteng public schools. He also noted that the GDE has identified a further 57 schools requiring structural intervention.
See full reply here.
This means that an overwhelming 1956 schools in the province have not had an inspection over the past five years.
The Premier Panyaza Lesufi-led government has failed to ensure that all schools are inspected at least once every five years to safeguard our learners and teachers. More devastating are the findings that include the presence of asbestos in our schools despite Premier Lesufi promising during his 2023 State of the Province Address (SOPA) to construct 18 new schools to replace asbestos classrooms.
The failure to evaluate structural safety and eradicate asbestos demonstrates that Premier Lesufi and MEC Chiloane are not serious about making our schools safe havens that inspire excellence. The DA will be writing to the Public Protector about this unacceptable situation. The safety of our children must come first.
A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would have ensured regular structural safety inspections as stipulated by the GIAMA ACT. We would have also eradicated asbestos classrooms and replaced them with brick-and-mortar structures.