Although the investigation focused on infrastructure challenges that had been identified in a few schools in the province, it became apparent during the investigation that infrastructure challenges at schools in the North West remain endemic, manifesting along racial and socio-economic lines. The identified infrastructure challenges ranged from blown-off roofs to collapsed ceilings, cracked walls, cracked floors, broken windows, the existence of asbestos in school structures, inadequate parameter fencing, as well as inadequate access to water and sanitation, amongst others. Overcrowded classrooms remain a major concern for qualitative outcomes in the education system.

Although some progress has been made in addressing these challenges, much work remains to be done. These challenges not only hinder learners’ right to basic education, they also pose potential harm to learners and staff alike, in violation of the rights in section 29(1)(a), section 10, section 12(1)(e) and section 28(2) of the Constitution. These challenges persist despite the existence of clear constitutional, legislative and regulatory prescripts that provide guidance on how these challenges are to be addressed.

Several reasons have been cited by the North West Department of Education (NW DOE) for the persistence of these challenges, including the influx of foreign nationals in communities in the North West, an inadequate budget, and a lack of preventative maintenance. While the Commission finds in its report that the first two cited reasons do not fully explain the existence of the identified challenges, the lack of preventative maintenance, as well as the absence of an effective system to report and monitor infrastructure challenges, was significant factor leading to non- prioritization of these matters. The lack of an effective system to report and monitor infrastructure challenges, also impedes infrastructure planning and budget management.

In view of the aforementioned findings, the Commission recommended the following, amongst others:

• The NW DOE should prepare a comprehensive plan of action that encompasses all schools identified to have infrastructure challenges in order to address the reported challenges.
• That the NW DOE’s framework for funding SGBs should be reviewed to ensure that adequate resources are made available to SGBs to enable them to undertake preventative maintenance and address minor infrastructure challenges.
• That the Department of Labour submits a time-bound program or plan of action to address Occupational Health and Safety specifications at schools.
• That reports on progress made in complying with the prescripts set out in the Norms and Standards be submitted.

The full report is available on the Commission’s website at this link: https://www.sahrc.org.za/home/21/files/Schools%20Infrastructure%20Inquiry%20Report.pdf.

The Commission will monitor compliance with its report recommendations on an ongoing basis.

END

For further information or enquiries, please contact SAHRC North West Provincial Manager, Shirley Mlombo (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 071 889 4869).