Education is the backbone of the economic growth, development and prosperity

According to Mathabatha, education remains the backbone of economic growth, development and prosperity and the 2021 Grade 12 results have given a cause for concern.

To that effect, he will be convening a provincial education Lekgotla in March 2022 to help find long-lasting solutions to this challenge although, he did note that for the first time in years, and there isn’t a single public school that produced a zero percent pass rate.

Premier said the Provincial Lekgotla will focus on:

➢ Holding accountability sessions with districts and circuit managers on performance of their respective districts and circuits;
➢ Intervention strategies to improve learner performance across the system;
➢ Hold principals accountable for underperformance in accordance with the provisions of the law;
➢ Provide support to schools in implementing promotion and progression policies, and;
➢ Implement focussed intervention strategy to improve learning outcomes across the system, in particular, support to progressed learners and other learners at risk.

“The quality of the results remain resilient. It is no surprise that Limpopo has featured in the top 5 provinces which have produced the most bachelor passes,” said Mathabatha.

According to Section 27, the Department of Basic Education has a responsibility to ensure that the right to basic education is achieved in an environment that does not breach the rights of learners to equality, dignity, life or a safe environment.

“Government has managed to complete sanitation infrastructure at 135 schools across the province and construction of similar infrastructure is still underway at about 27 more schools .Government also re-advertised for the construction of additional 47 new school sanitation infrastructure for 2022/23.The school sanitation projects are being implemented with a budget of R455 million, ”said Mathabatha.

He said the partnership between Government and Mvula Trust is implementing sanitation projects at around 203 more schools across the province and the project is implemented at a value of R162 million.

On the 26th January 2022, MEC for Department of Education, Polly Boshielo announced that learners from six (6) schools across the province will soon be educated in conducive school infrastructure as the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure is on track with plans to construct new classroom blocks at five (5) schools and 1 new school structure on land currently not in use.

To support MEC of Education statement, Mathabatha in his speech during the State of the Province Address shed lights with regards to construction progress for the following school infrastructure projects:

➢ Alldays Primary School in Blouberg is at 54%;
➢ Leduma Mahume Primary School in Phokwane is at 55%;
➢ Marude Primary School in Thulamela Municipality at 30%;
➢ Gidela Primary School in Giyani, Naledi ya Meso Secondary School in Dikgalaopeng and Mahlagaume Primary School in Bothashoek.

“The projects are expected to be completed in the 2022/23 financial year,”said Mathabatha.