The Limpopo education department spent over R27-million to run three camps to accommodate Grade 12 pupils from Vuwani following the shutdown of schools in the town and its surrounding villages.
Schooling was disrupted in the area for about three months following protests by the community over demarcation boundaries.
Almost 53000 pupils were affected and 42000 did not sit for their mid-year examinations.
However, three camps were set up far from Vuwani to cater for 1968 Grade 12 pupils; 154 teachers were deployed. At the camps the matric pupils were able to cover work they had missed and also sat for their mid-year exams. The camps ran from June 26 to July 30.
Last Tuesday, the Basic Education Department made a presentation to the portfolio committee in parliament where it revealed that it spent R27.4-million running the camps. The costs included accommodation, food and the purchase of 76 mobile classes at the cost of R17.6-million.
The department said the cost of feeding pupils, teachers and all other support staff for 32 days cost R3.2-million.
It also said that some of the major cost drivers included transporting pupils to and from centres, accommodation of teachers, catering and the purchase of mattresses.
The presentation revealed that the department spent R36000 on mattresses.
The department said even though it had already spent R27-million there was still outstanding accounts to settle at an estimated cost of R8-million, and these include electricity, overtime payments, transportation of pupils to centres and payment of drivers.
Following protests against re-demarcation in Vuwani, 29 schools were burnt down and the department said the estimated cost of the damage is R349-million.
The department has already provided 75 mobile classrooms to 19 schools and 26 still need to be delivered to 11 schools.
The department also said that furniture had been distributed at most schools and there was only a shortage of 231 chairs and 55 tables for Grade R pupils.
The province said funds to cover the costs had to be taken from other programmes as this was not planned for. It also said it received support from the private sector.
macupeb@sowetan.co.za
Vuwani costing millions
The Limpopo education department spent over R27-million to run three camps to accommodate Grade 12 pupils from Vuwani following the shutdown of schools in the town and its surrounding villages.
Schooling was disrupted in the area for about three months following protests by the community over demarcation boundaries.
Almost 53000 pupils were affected and 42000 did not sit for their mid-year examinations.
However, three camps were set up far from Vuwani to cater for 1968 Grade 12 pupils; 154 teachers were deployed. At the camps the matric pupils were able to cover work they had missed and also sat for their mid-year exams. The camps ran from June 26 to July 30.
Last Tuesday, the Basic Education Department made a presentation to the portfolio committee in parliament where it revealed that it spent R27.4-million running the camps. The costs included accommodation, food and the purchase of 76 mobile classes at the cost of R17.6-million.
The department said the cost of feeding pupils, teachers and all other support staff for 32 days cost R3.2-million.
It also said that some of the major cost drivers included transporting pupils to and from centres, accommodation of teachers, catering and the purchase of mattresses.
The presentation revealed that the department spent R36000 on mattresses.
The department said even though it had already spent R27-million there was still outstanding accounts to settle at an estimated cost of R8-million, and these include electricity, overtime payments, transportation of pupils to centres and payment of drivers.
Following protests against re-demarcation in Vuwani, 29 schools were burnt down and the department said the estimated cost of the damage is R349-million.
The department has already provided 75 mobile classrooms to 19 schools and 26 still need to be delivered to 11 schools.
The department also said that furniture had been distributed at most schools and there was only a shortage of 231 chairs and 55 tables for Grade R pupils.
The province said funds to cover the costs had to be taken from other programmes as this was not planned for. It also said it received support from the private sector.
macupeb@sowetan.co.za
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