Education
With regard to the reported closure of the Voor-Groenberg Primary School:
- (a) What is the estimated monthly expenses that will be added to her Department’s budget to move the children to the Wagensmakers Primary School and (b) what alternatives have been taken into account;
- whether the traveling expenses incurred by parents and teachers will be subsidised; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether discussions regarding the closure of the school has been done in consultation with the South African Teachers Union and parents; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
(1)(a) There will be no additional cost to the department, in fact it will be slightly less expensive. The Norms and Standards funding will be transferred to the new school (Wagensmakers Primary School). There will be expenses for the transport of the learners to Wagenmakers PS on the existing bus transport route of approximately R64 600, but we will no longer be paying the annual lease of R73 905,72 pa that we are currently paying.
(b) Wagenmakers PS is the closest school and has an existing bus route. Groenberg is already a pick-up point on the route.
2. Parents will not pay for the learner transport. The WCED will not need to pay any subsidy to the two teachers from Voor-Groenberg PS, who will join the staff at Wagenmakers PS.
3. A public participation engagement was held which included a community meeting where all stakeholders could voice their opinions. More than 100 people attended the public meeting with many organisations making an input. Written inputs were submitted to the Department.
