Department refutes claims made by DA

The Mpumalanga department of education refutes the assertion made by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that it has closed two independent schools.
“These schools closed on their own accounts, citing financial challenges, low enrolment and poor payment of fees by parents,” said Jasper Zwane spokesperson for the department.

“The department only withdrew its subsidy to Shammah College since the school performed below the provincial average in their 2013 Grade 12 results,”he added.

Shammah College obtained 69.2% matric pass rate last year while the provincial average was 77.6% “This is in accordance to the dictates of the National Norms and Standards for School funding, amended in 2008,’added Zwane.

He also mentioned that the department is working with the leadership of the school including parents to ensure that the learners are at no stage disadvantaged by this outcome. “The department does not know of any learner who has been left stranded,”Zwane.

“As for the Barberton Academy this school is up and running. The owner was intending to close the school after he relocated from Barberton. He wrote letters to parents indicating his intention but could no longer proceed with that process. As we speak teaching and learning is the order of the day at this school and is being monitored on daily basis by the Department,” said Zwane.