Note to editors: Please find the attached English soundbite by Sergio Isa Dos Santos MPL.
Following the Democratic Alliance’s decisive oversight intervention, which exposed shocking overcrowding and a shortage of furniture at Reiger Park Secondary School, the Gauteng Department of Education was finally forced to act, delivering 300 desks and chairs to the school.
This intervention comes after we highlighted the unacceptable reality of learners being forced to stand during lessons due to a shortage of furniture. With more than 2,300 learners enrolled, the failure to provide adequate furniture was a clear indication of poor planning and neglect.
While we welcome the delivery of 300 desks and chairs, this should never have required public pressure to secure basic resources for learners. The department must ensure that proper planning and procurement processes are in place to prevent such shortages from occurring in the first place.
This is a significant victory for the DA and underscores the importance of active oversight, holding the department accountable, and ensuring that things get done!
The DA will continue to monitor the situation at Reiger Park Secondary School and across Gauteng schools to ensure that every learner has access to a dignified and properly equipped learning environment.
Under a DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government, no learner would be forced to study standing. We would ensure that every school has the infrastructure required to support a proper, dignified, and conducive learning environment. This can be done!