The Limpopo MEC for Education, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, said that schools are not allowed to prevent learners from attending classes because they did not pay their fundraising money. The MEC was speaking during her visit to Xiphamele Primary School, Ntshuxeko Secondary School, and Majejeje High School on Thursday, January 12. Many schools governing bodies (SGB) in townships and villages have established a fundraising method to help schools raise funds by requesting that learners pay a certain amount annually.

As a result of this, some schools have stopped learners from receiving their final exam reports, receiving books for the new year, and even attending classes if they failed to pay the fundraising money. Lerule-Ramakhanya said SGB’s have to find other means to convince parents to pay. However, she said that learners must take accountability for their school study material. “Parents also need to instill some form of discipline when it comes to studying materials, if we allow ten learners to lose textbooks, it means that the next year ten learners won’t have textbooks,” she said.

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She said she has also noted the need for infrastructure during her visits, as most schools are overcrowded and the buildings are not suitable to accommodate learners. Lerule-Ramakhanya also said there is a need for more teachers as it will enable quality teaching. She was accompanied by the executive mayor of the Mopani District Municipality, Pule Shayi, and the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality mayor, Merriam Malatji, among others. Shayi also motivated learners to take their studies seriously. “Respect and listen to your teachers. We wish you well with your studies in this year,” he concluded.