Speaking at the Social Cluster Department's post-budget, provincial Health MEC and chairperson of the Social Cluster, Madoda Sambatha, said that R1.2 million has been allocated to improve the quality of infrastructure in schools, whilst R3.3 million will be used for maintenance of 11 existing ECD centers during the current financial year.

Sambatha said attention will also be provided to storm-damaged schools and eradicating asbestos structures in about 114 schools within the province. 

He said the Department of Education will conduct infrastructure condition assessment in all schools and ECD centers over the next two years, which will be directed under a maintenance programme that will address seven-year-targets through additions, maintenance, and a repairs initiative.

ALSO READ: Poor infrastructure allegedly led to closure of North West schools

The North West Department of Education has recently been in the spotlight over closure of schools due to issues of deteriorated infrastructure. 

The EFF Provincial Secretary, Papiki Babuile, had alleged that the North West Education department failed to renovate most schools because it has been diverting allocated money to other provinces.

Sambatha adds that the North West Education Department will be collaborating with Impala Mine to implement a school for the deaf. 

He also said the department will be engaging with the community to build school infrastructure under supervision of management contractors.

OFM News