MBOMBELA – To combat a severe shortage of furniture faced by schools in some areas, the Mpumalanga Department of Education is to return to the past.
On Tuesday MEC Ms Reginah Mhaule announced that the department had agreed to purchase the hardy, old desk-and- chairs units, which were connected to each other, from a service provider.
She added that the department was receiving assistance from Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust in restoring damaged desks, instead of only buying new ones.
Questions related to the shortages in schools topped the agenda during the oral answering session in the legislature on the day after the country celebrated human rights.
Members of the provincial legislature began the sitting with a snap debate on the topic.
The house was emptier than usual and the drama subdued.
The worst insults traded was ANC MPL Mr Vusi Shongwe calling DA MPL Mr James Masango a liar for claiming the ANC would be hurt in the local government election for failing to provide services.
ANC MPL Mr Thulare Madileng responded, “The people can be assured that the ANC which brought them freedom will never abandon the fight to achieve human dignity. Inequality, poverty and unemployment we shall overcome some day.”
Subsequently members of the ANC, DA and EFF questioned particularly Mhaule on delivery. Houses and clinics were also set to be discussed, but the services and infrastructure provided to pupils in the province’s rural schools were a top priority among MPLs.
Aside from the shortage of furniture, the MEC was also questioned on a shortage of classrooms, overcrowded classes and a lack of sanitation facilities.
Last month this was addressed already when the provincial government announced the allocation of funding to ensure that all schools were furnished with proper sanitation systems by the end of December.
Mhaule also announced plans for the construction of classrooms and delivery of furniture.
“There is no ‘how long’ (as to when all schools will have sufficient furniture) as supplying and maintaining furniture is forever ongoing, as it is in one’s own house.”
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