With this budget the department is expected to complete refurbishment of several schools and launch others in 2022/23 academic year. This, as MEC Zolile Monakali during the tabling of the budget vote before the provincial legislature, announced that this has become one of his top priorities.

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The Education Department in the province came under scrutiny earlier this year, after the Chairperson of the Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Education, Bongiwe Mbiqo-Gigaba, told OFM News that one of the school they had visited in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality is renting property from a local farmer in the area.

Mbinqo-Gigaba had also said that the school was unfortunately not well-maintained and due to the rental situation, it isn’t clear whose responsibility the upkeep of the premises was.

Meanwhile, Monakali stated the importance of creating a conducive environment for public education. He said the department is targeting media centers, computer centers, libraries and science laboratories to be implemented through the medium-term expenditure framework period.

He further said the department has also explored various modern alternative technologies in implementation of infrastructure projects, which include solar-powered borehole pumps and treatment plants.

According to Monakali, the construction of the replacement school for Khiba Middle School in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District included alternative energy solutions - namely an off-grid system - where solar panels are the main source of electricity, with a backup generator.

"Although these options have a high capital cost, the operation and maintenance costs are much lower than the alternative fees and monthly electricity bills. The Khiba Middle School is a flagship project in terms of 'going green', making the school environmentally friendly," he concludes.

OFM News