SA‘s target to eradicate mud schools unrealistic

Mud school poses danger to pupils

Government Watchdog, the Grahamstown-based Public Service Accountability Monitor says government will not reach its target of eradicating mud schools by 2008.

The problem is worst in the Eastern Cape, which reportedly has about 80% of the country's schools that are partly or fully made of mud. The province received an additional R8 billion from National Treasury for the 2008/9 financial year but only allocated R100 million to eradicating mud schools.

The Public Service Accountability Monitor says the target to eradicate all mud schools by next year is unrealistic. It says in the Eastern Cape especially, the backlog is just too much to be eradicated in one financial year. The 100 million set aside by the province for building proper schools this financial year is simply not nearly enough.

According to a report released by the Office of the Premier, there are still about 832 mud schools in the province. Nearly 200 000 learners receive tuition in these unsafe structures.

A number of mud schools are flattened by the violent storms typical of the area every year. The department of education has refused to respond to questions in this regard until after Education MEC Johnny Makgatol presents his policy speech this week. - SABC