Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi is seeking an urgent meeting with the Tshwane mayor after several schools had their water and electricity disconnected by the Tshwane metro due to arrears totalling R21 million, his department said in a statement.
Spokesperson Phumla Sekhonyane said the affected institutions included Section 21 schools (those that manage their own finances and infrastructure from the budget allocated by the department), special schools and independent schools.
“The schools have cited rising taxes as a challenge. What is of extreme concern to the MEC is that this is happening at a crucial time when learners are busy with exams,” she said.
The education department had resolved to assist the Section 21 schools that were in arrears of R10 million as power cuts would be a serious inconvenience to pupils and teachers.
Sekhonyane said: “The department has engaged special schools and independent schools to encourage them to pay their bills. To date, schools continue to pay to settle their arrears. We would like to assure parents and members of the public at large that we are moving speedily to resolve this matter.”
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