Zuma visits East Cape schools

President to assess state of education at schools dealing with pregnancies, vandalism and poor leadership

President Jacob Zuma  began a day-long visit to Eastern Cape schools at the Vulumzi Primary and Mzomhle High schools in Mdantsane, East London.

The president was visiting several schools in the Amathole District to assess the state of education in the province, SABC radio news said.

The two schools, in the Mdantsane township, were selected to show Zuma the problems faced by dysfunctional schools in the province.

Mzomhle High School was apparently well resourced but had failed  to deliver quality matric pass rates.

With high levels of vandalism and teenage pregnancy, the majority of Vulumzi Primary pupils had social and psychological problems, the SABC reported.

In March Cabinet had resolved to place the Eastern Cape education department under administration after the collapse of the  education system.    

The basic education department said the province’s problems include a strategic leadership vacuum, the organisation’s structure  and culture, poor financial management systems, and a lack of monitoring and evaluation.