POLOKWANE – The Department of Education, in a press release, condemned the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) statement released earlier this week alleging that 8 674 learners are starving in Limpopo.

“These are allegations intended to discredit the department and the government in general.
They did not bother to inform people that even today there is a supplier of the NSNP for schools in the Dimamo Circuit. The facts are that a contracted service provider abandoned the project in January, the department swiftly hired a new service provider on a month-to-month based contract while following proper channels of the termination and appointment of a new contractor.
Learners continued to receive their food in February and March through the temporary contract while the matters of the first contractor were handled legally,” according to Department of Education Spokesperson, Dr Naledzani Rasila.

The DA, in their statement, said they would deliver a motion in the legislature on Tuesday (16 May) expressing their concern over the non-delivery of national School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) food affecting more than 8 000 learners in 21 primary schools in the Capricorn district since February.

The party alleged they received information from concerned parents, principals and teachers that learners have been attending school on empty stomachs for the last three months. T

Teachers have allegedly reported that they struggle to hold the attention of under-nourished learners.
The affected schools already lodged several complaints to the department about the non-delivery of food and the department’s latest promise is that food will be delivered today, 17 May.

“This is shocking proof that the department and its officials do not care about the well-being of our children and their education. It is clear the NSNP vision ‘every child is an asset’ is pure lip service,” the DA’s statement read.

The DA urged the MEC for Education, Ishmael Kgetjepe, to establish investigations and ensure appropriate steps are taken against the suppliers failing to meet their deadlines, and furthermore to take decisive steps against officials responsible.

Rasila went on further to say that the department proceeded with securing the long term contract to supply food for the learners and the new service provider for the area was appointed on Monday and the contract will lapse at the end of December.

Rasila said the Department of Education feeds more than 1,6 million learners in a single financial year.
“There are officials both at circuit, district, and provincial levels who monitor the provision of food in schools,” he said.

He added service providers have signed contracts that determine both the quality and processes of providing food to schools and these are adhered to at all the times.

“The Department continues to make sure learners benefit from government programmes at all times,” Rasila concluded.

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