NYAKALLO TEFU

EQUAL Education (EE) and two Limpopo schools are heading to the North Gauteng High Court on Thursday in a bid to have nine million learners receive their daily meals through the government’s National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). 

This comes after the Department of Basic Education failed to deliver on its promise to run the school feeding scheme during the COVID-19 induced lockdown. 

Represented by the Equal Education Law Centre and SECTION27, EE and the two Limpopo schools are asking the court for a declaratory order that there is a duty on government to ensure that all learners who qualify for the NSNP benefit receive their meals, regardless of whether their grades returned to schools on June 8 or not.   

“It is shameful that the national and provincial education departments must be dragged to court to ensure the delivery of school meals. The NSNP is fundamental to supporting the ability of children to learn and crucial to the right to basic education,” said EE in a statement.   

Basic Education Department made a promise that all provinces would roll-out meals to all qualifying learners from June, but this has not happened. 

“Nothing has materialized from these promises from the DBE, so our legal team in consultation with them and their responses have led us to going ahead with the litigation for the court hearing on Thursday,” said EE’s Tad Khosa.

The organizations said in Limpopo learners in Grade 7 and Grade 12 are not able to receive a meal at all.

(Compiled by Inside Education staff)

SANDILE MOTHA

THE GLOVES are off between the KwaZulu -Natal Department of Education and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) over the alleged inflated prices for the purchase of JoJo water tanks dispatched to schools across the province.

The IFP, the official opposition in the legislature, is adamant that something went wrong in the procurement process of the tanks.

Last week, it emerged that the department forked out more than R28 000 for each JoJo tank, an amount the party says was exorbitant.  

“This is unheard of when you consider that a normal JoJo tank would cost anything between R4000 and R 5000. The explanation by the department that the amount includes transportation and installation is insufficient,” explained Thembeni Madlopha- Mthethwa, party spokesperson on education.

Madlopha-Mthethwa said she had raised the issue with the MEC for Education Kwazi Mshengu before the matter became public but was ignored.

“I first brought the matter to his attention verbally but the MEC blatantly ignored me. I subsequently made a follow up call to the officials to his office to provide me with an explanation, again I got no satisfactory response,” said Madlopha-Mthethwa.

She said the party has since made a written communique through the legislature to compel the MEC to provide answers, including what criteria was used for the department to arrive at such an amount.

Apart from the alleged inflated prices on the purchase of water tanks, the department has been rocked by what appeared to be an organised syndicate using the reopening of schools to amass quick cash.

Last month, a large consignment containing personal protective equipment destined for Zululand, Umlazi and Pinetown mysteriously disappeared. The consignment apparently was worth several millions. A probe is currently underway to ascertain the details and facts surrounding the vanishing of the consignment.

Meanwhile, Education Union of South Africa (Eusa) has escalated the matter further calling for a forensic investigation into contracts awarded to supply sanitisers and PPE’s to various schools.

The union claims that the tenders were awarded without following due processes.  

“We have a reason to believe that the rush to open schools was so that this corruption spree could take place. We have written to the office of the public protector demanding that a full scale investigation be conducted,” union spokesperson, Kabelo Mahlobogwane told Inside Metros.

He said the union also wanted the probe to shed  light on how possible it was for 3500 tanks in KZN to cost R600 million.

“We have visited many schools in KZN and we witnessed for ourselves that schools were supplied with 250 litres JoJo tanks instead of the 500 or more litres that the department claimed to have supplied,” added Mahlobogwane.

The provincial department on the other confirmed that it had forked out R28 000 for each water tank but insists it had done things above board.  

“Let’s me first clarify that the province is not responsible for the procurement process. The national department through the national treasury are responsible for this. The cost include delivery, installation and water, so in total it comes up to R 28 000,” said head of department, Dr Enoch Nzama.

(Compiled by Inside Education staff)

ROLIVHUWA SADIKI

THE Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in Limpopo will be marching to the department of education in the province on Tuesday to hand over a memorandum of grievances to the MEC of Education, Polly Boshielo.

This follows the student organisation’s protest march to the department last week in which Boshielo was unable to receive the memorandum amid allegations that she was attending a portfolio committee meeting.

Some of the grievances to be addressed include examination papers which were originally prepared to be reviewed with the aim of aligning them to the COVID-19 impact and that the department put measures in place if COVID-19 cases are confirmed in schools.

Scalo Mahladisa, COSAS’ provincial secretary, said the students’ movement was of a firm view that the department has never been ready to open schools and that the 3711 schools indicated to be ready for reopening have never been and are still not ready.

“We are informed of the material conditions on the ground.  Over 42 schools did not reopen on a basis of non-compliance to the health protocols.  To date, nothing has been provided to address the anomaly.  Learners of the effected schools are left on their own,” he said.

Mahladisa also said it was common knowledge that many learners in Quintile 1-3 schools depends on school nutrition’s to survive and it should highlight how it is catering for learners from the 42 schools since they live in abject poverty.

“The department should consider them as they are left at home. It is failing to provide enough food for those who are at schools. What will happen because they are bringing more of them,” he asked.

He further said the department will not be able to accommodate other grades as they are in need of more than 46000 classes and that

“PPEs were not enough. Thermometers which were provided are dysfunctional and faulty and those who are using them were not trained,” he added.

We are expecting response to our peremptory from the Limpopo Department of Education within 12 days from receipt hereof.  

During his 2020 supplementary budget speech last week, minister of finance Tito Mboweni announced that all provinces will collectively receive R5 billion for the education catch-up plan.

Ten teachers, three pupils and one supporting staffer are alleged to have tested positive for the COVID-19, while 3 schools have since closed in the province.

At least 963 000 pupils from all other grades in the province are expected to return to school on 6 July.

(Source: Mukurukuru Media)

NYAKALLO TEFU

ABOUT 6 million learners are expected back at school on July 6 amid concerns by parents who fear the worst following the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country.

Since the reopening almost two weeks, which only saw only Grade 7 and Grade 12 returning, at least 775 schools have been affected by COVID-19 infections.

A total of 523 learners have contracted the virus while a staggering 1 200 staff members tested positive. This comes as the Department of Basic Education plans to allow the return of even more learners by Monday.

However, the return of more learners to school has raised serious questions and parents, teachers’ unions and school governing bodies (SGBs) are concerned about the safety of children as COVID-19 cases rise.

Basic Education said it was doing what it can to ensure measures are taken to keep learners safe from the virus. “We have been doing a lot of work to prepare for the next cohort of learners that are coming back on the 6th of July. It’s a large number. It’s about six million of them who are coming back. Provinces have been focusing on the preparations,” said Elijah Mhlanga.

Inside Education takes a closer look at provinces considered epicentres of the deadly coronavirus to assess the situation.

THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE|

The situation in the Eastern Cape is dire after 204 learners and hostel assistants tested positive at the Makaula Secondary School in KwaBhaca, formerly known as Mount Frere.

A team of clinicians and other primary healthcare workers have already been sent to the school to prevent further spread of the virus.

As of Monday, the Eastern Cape had 23,658 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

The MEC for Education Fundile Gade said government was concerned by the infections at various schools in the province.

“Certainly, the province is highly concerned with the outbreak of infections at our schools that has let to closure of over 150 schools for decontamination,” said Gade on Monday.
“An instruction has been issued to all our 12 districts to provide an assessment about all our schools’ readiness to accept additional grades as of the 6 July. Obviously there’s a concern with our bigger schools and how additional learners will impact our capacity to social distance and retain COVID-19 health and safety protocols.”  

KWAZULU NATAL PROVINCE|

The province has so far recorded an increase in the number of positive Covid-19 cases in schools, according to Premier Sihle Zikalala, who also said the number of infected people in schools increased to 187 last week, of whom 139 were teachers and 37 pupils. Thus far, at least 63 schools in KwaZulu Natal have reported positive Covid-19 cases across nine districts.

Dr Vusumuzi Nzama, head of the provincial department of education, said preparations were underway to receive learners across the province.

“When we prepared the schools for the reopening, we made it a point that all schools are sanitized and made ready for at least 6 months. So schools are already prepared. There is enough space for learners who will be returning on July 6 and teachers have already been trained. They have already been given full orientation,” said Nzama.

Nzama said the biggest concern for the department was lack adequate funding to deal with the COVID-19 challenge.  

“We do not have adequate funds to sustain what we have already provided to schools. We are currently coping, but we see that as time goes on, we are going to have a problem with supplying schools with COVID-19 essentials. The matter is being dealt with by the provincial treasury.  However, there hasn’t been any positive response,” he said.

GAUTENG PROVINCE|

According to the Department of Health, Gauteng is preparing for the worst of the coronavirus cases in the coming weeks.

Despite being one of the hardest hit provinces with over 31 000 confirmed cases, the Gauteng Education Department said most primary and secondary schools will be able to operate as more pupils prepare to go back to class in July.

The department said while its aware of the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in the province, it will also continue to monitor pupils’ return to school and implement all necessary measure to ensure all institutions are compliant.

“We are ready to receive the other learners. That is all the grades in Gauteng. We’ll be doing a rotational process and learners will be rotating with some coming two days a week, some coming three days. That’s how we’re going to be managing it in Gauteng,” according to spokesperson, Steve Mabona.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Gauteng as at 28 June 2020 sits at 36 895, with 9738 recoveries and 174 deaths.

Out of a total of 28 317 contacts traced (these are individuals who were in contact with people who tested positive for COVID-19); 18 087 people have completed the 14 days monitoring period with no symptoms reported and therefore they are de-isolated.

A total number of 1332 of people are currently hospitalized in the public and private facility.

The Gauteng Education Department has urged all schools to adhere to COVID-19 protocols as more grades re expected to return.

THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE|

Since the reopening of schools in June, 134 of learners have tested positive for COVID-19. According to the Western Cape Education Department’s latest reports received this past Friday, 557 school staff members have contracted the coronavirus. This number includes educators and non-teaching staff. Western Cape Education Department’s spokesperson Kerry Mauchline said Gauteng has the highest number of active cases – “so considering the Western Cape as the ‘epicentre’ would not be correct.”

“It is important to note that as the extra grades return, not all of those learners will be at school at any given time. In order to maintain the 1.5m physical distance between learners, schools have been asked to submit Temporary Revised Education Plans on how to manage this. The majority of our schools have already submitted these, with some of the models chosen including having grades at school on alternating weeks, or alternating days, or in shifts,” said Mauchline.

Mauchline said on average, 25 schools out of 1 509 are closed in the Western Cape on any given day. However, this includes those which are not closed due to cleaning after a positive case, but also where schools are closed due to threats from protestors and for other reasons.  “Every day, nearly 1 500 of our schools are going about the daily essential task of educating learners without disruption, and the majority have not reported any cases of Covid-19. So we must see positive cases at schools within this greater context,” she said.

“A confirmed case does not necessarily require a school to be closed. In each case, a number of factors will be considered in making the decision.”

As of 1pm on Monday 29 June, the Western Cape has 16 550 active cases of Covid-19, with a total of 61 445 confirmed cases and 43 120 recoveries. The Western Cape has recorded an additional 38 deaths, bringing the total number of Covid-19 related deaths in the province to 1775.

(Compiled by Inside Education staff)

Three-time World University Games participant Kholosa Biyana has made enormous strides in her career so far, including having gone to a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

However, it is her continued resilience in studies that has made her dual career prospects possible.

Biyana, who was born in Eastern Cape has been playing soccer from the tender age of eight. She tells a heartfelt story of sacrifice from her father in particular.

“My dad was my support system, he would drive me to practice every day and he would have to drive back home an hour away, as I was in boarding school and they would not allow me to leave the premises alone,” says the grateful Biyana.

It is for this reason that her father remains one of her biggest inspirations.

Another value that was instilled by her parents was the importance of education and being able to have a dual career.

“Education is very important. I know I love football and I know I can make a living out of it but things are different in South Africa, as we do not have a professional league here.”

“I know there will come a stage when I won’t be able to play professional football,” she says. “I need to have something to fall back on. Injuries occur sometimes and I should be ready if something like that happens. Not only will education help me in the future, but I can also apply the knowledge I gain while playing soccer; aspects such as injury prevention, rehabilitation, sport psychology among others.”

Due to university sports in South Africa being cancelled for the reminder of the year, Biyana has used the lockdown to focus on her studies.

“I am doing my Honors degree in Biokinetics. It is very challenging but I have this time now, without football. We have been doing online learning from the second week of lockdown in April. They (university) have been giving us a lot of tests, assignments and presentations, and I will be writing exams soon.”

“Sometimes, I feel like quitting but I have one goal; to finish this year even if it means crawling to the finish line,” said the Honors degree prospect.

Biyana has participated in not one but three World University Games, consecutively from 2015 to 2019. Biyana cites the 2017 campaign in Taipei as one of her team’s best as they finished fourth overall, after she scored the only goal to send them to the semi-finals.

“It was a great experience because we all had the same goal,” she reminisces. “When we came back from those games, I think 7 of us got a national team call up which was great for USSA football.”

The impact University Sport South Africa has had on Biyana’s football career has been immense. She says, “Through education, you can achieve your goals. USSA is doing a great job because that is where most players get exposure. Some of the players are now in the Premier Soccer League and others in the Glad African Championship. Student-athletes must start taking advantage of the platform given to them.”

Biyana, who is a qualified diagnostic radiographer, also shared some words of wisdom with other student-athletes: “Our journeys are different, we won’t all play at the World University Games. Not everyone will represent their country at national level. Education is the best thing you can fall back on if things don’t work out the way you want them to. Let’s get that qualification!”

Biyana tells FISU about her experience at the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year: “I never thought I would get to that stage but eventually I did. I have learnt a lot from it, from playing against the best players in the world. It is an experience that no one can take away from me.”

She adds that representing South Africa is an honour. “There are thousands of soccer players in the country, they could be playing but in that particular time it was me, grabbing the opportunity and making sure I gave it my best when the opportunity came is the most important thing.”

Some of Biyana’s goals include playing in a top professional league, AFCON tournaments, an Olympics and another World Cup. And of course, finishing her degree!

(Source: University Sport South Africa)