Pretoria - Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, has called for an urgent meeting with the Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Kgosientso Ramokgopa,to discuss how future disconnections at schools can be avoided, as well as rates and taxes charged at schools.
The Gauteng Department of Education said this on Friday, following electricity and water disconnections by the City of Tshwane in schools within the municipality, due to arrears.
“We would like to apologise to our learners, educators and staff at schools for the inconvenience caused the power cuts. We would also like to assure parents and members of the public at large that we are moving speedily to resolve this matter,” the department said.
The department said the MEC was mostly concerned that this is happening at a crucial time when learners are busy with final examinations.
“The affected schools are section 21 schools, special schools and independent schools that are in arrears to the tune of R21 million. The schools have cited rising rates and taxes as a challenge. Section 21 schools manage their own finances and maintain their own infrastructure, using the budget allocated to them by the department,” the department said.
The department has taken a decision to bailout the Section 21 schools that are in arrears, to the tune of R10 million by 30 November 2014.
It said this is due to the serious inconvenience that the disconnections may cause to the delivery of teaching and learning.
“The department has engaged special schools and independent schools to encourage them to pay their bills. To date, schools continue to pay to settle their arrears,” the department said. - SAnews.gov.za
