The chairperson of the committee, Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba, says so far the officials of the committee have visited at least three schools in Welkom to assess schools after they reopened for the 2022 academic year. She says the committee officials have divided themselves into two groups. 

Mbinqo-Gigaba says Parliament's Portfolio Committee will meet the MEC Tate Makgoe and the head of the department (HOD) amongst others leaders in the education sector. The committee on Tuesday concluded its oversight visit to schools in the North West to assess the state of readiness of the department during the reopening of schools for the 2022 academic year.

Mbinqo-Gigana on Thursday told OFM News that the committee raised its concern with the North West Department of Education over learners who are yet to be placed in schools.

Mbinqo-Gigaba said they have since advised the department that these learners need to be placed as a matter of urgency. The pupils are part of thousands of learners across the country who are yet to be placed in various schools. Without giving the specific number of placed pupils, Mbinqo-Gigaba added that the number of unplaced pupils is not a huge one, hence the department needs to make sure that they are placed quickly.

OFM News