She told OFM News where there is a total lack of management, schools fail to perform academically, something which is concerning. Gina, along with the other committee members are in Mahikeng today, continuing their week-long oversight visit to various North West schools. 

The purpose of the visit, is to ascertain the level of school readiness ahead of final examinations. Gina says the committee came across a school during their visit that performed poorly, due to the absence of adequate school management.

The department, along with the committee have worked on a plan to improve the situation at the North West school says Gina. She however did not go into detail regarding those plans, nor did she name the school.

Last year OFM News reported that non-profit organisation, Corruption Watch has in their research revealed that 55% of corruption cases reported to the organisation, implicated the principal of the school. 

The organisation stressed the importance of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) in keeping school management in check, further encouraging the parents and communities to partake in SGB elections, which take place every three years. 

The latest SGB elections took place in March 2018, with many provinces reporting a low turnout. Corruption Watch’s Deputy Director, Ronald Menoe, said the lack of interest in these elections leaves schools vulnerable to corruption.

The committee has during their visit called for provincial and local government to provide special need schools with greater support, following the discovery that some learners at Christiana School for the Blind are without Braille textbooks. 

Tomorrow, the committee rounds off their oversight visit.

OFM News