Central SA
R100 million secured to address Northern Cape education challenges─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 10:17 Sat, 01 Feb 2025
Northern Cape Education has secured substatial funding to address the needs of its schools.
Spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe said the department, in collaboration with the premier and Provincial Treasury, secured R100 million to address pressing needs within the provincial schooling system.
He said the financial intervention underscored the government’s commitment to education as an apex priority, ensuring an optimal and conducive learning environment for all learners.
“This financial intervention serves as a testament to the provincial government’s unwavering resolve in addressing fiscal constraints within the education sector. The department remains steadfast in ensuring the sustained operational efficiency and excellence of our schools.”
Van der Merwe said the funds would be disbursed within the next two weeks and meticulously allocated across several critical domains, including the provision of learning and support materials by ensuring prompt procurement and distribution of essential educational resources, including textbooks, stationery, and supplementary learning aid.
Despite being placed last in the 2024 matric results with a 84.2% pass rate, the province improved with 8.3 percentage points compared with 2023. The Northern Cape was the most improved province.
The allocation was also expected to be used for essential services and maintenance, municipal services and facilitating urgent repairs, including the upkeep of school facilities to uphold structural integrity, safety, and functional efficiency.
Van der Merwe said the funding would also augment financial support to school hostels to sustain high standards of accommodation and service.
Learner transport services would abe reinforced and expanded to guarantee safety, reliability, and equitable access to education, particularly for learners in rural communities. Furthermore, staff shortages would addressed to help improve the education system.
Van der Merwe said the department had initiated the requisite administrative and procedural formalities to expedite the seamless allocation and utilisation of the funds.
