The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), through its Education Subcommittee, chaired by Dr Siboniso Dhlomo, is set to hold a high-level media briefing to discuss the state of education in the province.

In a statement, ANC KZN spokesperson Fanle Sibisi said the briefing is expected to provide a candid assessment of key challenges facing schools and learners, including infrastructure backlogs, overcrowding, learner performance, school safety, educator shortages, and resource constraints.

The briefing comes amid growing concerns over the province’s education system, which has been beset by a range of ongoing challenges, from severe financial mismanagement to operational failures that threaten the quality of education for millions of learners.

The KZN Department of Education is facing significant financial and administrative difficulties. 

The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) recently raised alarms about the KZN Department of Education, accusing it of ignoring crucial recommendations to improve its financial standing.

The AGSA revealed that the department has been spending its entire budget without achieving key performance targets, leading to an increase in unauthorised expenditure from R63 million to R520 million.

There are also serious concerns about poor workmanship in school building projects, with some structures being deemed unsafe for learners.

Further compounding the issues, the department is facing severe financial constraints due to budget cuts and an unfunded wage agreement.

Some special needs schools have been left without funding and are at risk of closing.

Despite these challenges, the department has been slow to respond to the AGSA’s findings, with the department failing to address critical financial and operational issues.

The media briefing, which will include the MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, is aimed at unveiling a comprehensive plan to address the issues plaguing the education system. 

Sibisi said the leadership will also unveil a comprehensive recovery and improvement plan aimed at restoring quality, dignity, and excellence in public education, strengthening governance, improving access to learning, and ensuring that every child receives a safe and supportive learning environment.   

The briefing forms part of the ANC’s commitment to placing education at the centre of provincial development and accelerating the implementation of long-standing policies that are now beginning to yield results, he said. 

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

IOL Politics 

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