PORT ELIZABETH - UP TO 50 PE AND UITENHAGE DISTRICT SCHOOLS FACE POSSIBLE CLOSURE

Nearly 50 face possible closure in PE and Uitenhage educational districts

The possible closure of almost 50 schools in the Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage educational districts which are deemed unviable has been met with a fierce backlash from educators and parents who fear for the affected children’s future schooling.

The 48 schools have less than a week to make submissions to the Department of Education, justifying why they should not be shut down.

This Friday’s deadline follows the department sending a notice at the end of last month to the 1 902 affected schools around the province, giving them 30 days to provide grounds why their school should remain operational.

The schools do not meet the national minimum threshold for pupil registration of 135 in primary school, and 200 in high school.

The move has met with strong opposition from education experts, staff and parents who say should the closures be implemented, it would be detrimental for primary school pupils in particular who would most likely drop out of school, as well as negatively affect communities.

Department spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said 30 schools were affected in the Uitenhage district, which spans Tsitsikamma in the west, Kirkwood in the north and Patensie in the east.

VIA - heraldlive.co.za