Wanted: R24 billion to fix education

The Eastern Cape Education department requires R21,2 billion to eliminate backlogs and bring all buildings up to the required standard. In addition, it needs R2,2 billion to wipe out mud structures and a further R1,4 billion to address the maintenance backlog.

But, the department’s Infrastructure Plan tabled in the Bhisho Legislature last weeks shows that the budget for the next financial year (2009/10) is only R1,3 billion and for the next two years a total of R3,2 billion. The department states that while this is “a significant improvement on previous years, these budgets are still wholly insufficient to begin addressing backlogs”.

Currently, only 621 (11%) of the 5 704 schools in the Eastern Cape are described as being in a “good condition” with a further 237 (4%) being housed in new buildings.

The condition of 1 060 (19%) is described as “very weak” and of 1 601 (28%) as “weak” with a further 2 088 (37%) being in need of repair. Just 71 schools are currently being upgraded.

• Full report in The Herald today