/ 22 September 2012

Madonsela to help with Kuruman education crisis

A total of 41 schools in the province had closed because of high levels of intimidation and protests.
A total of 41 schools in the province had closed because of high levels of intimidation and protests.

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources Godfrey Olifant met the community of Kuruman in the Northern Cape in an effort to resolve the education crisis there, Madonsela's office said on Saturday.

On Friday, Madonsela and Olifant met traditional leaders, the transport and infrastructure committee of surrounding villages and the broader community, spokesperson Kgalalelo Masibi said in a statement.

The meeting sought an undertaking that the children would resume schooling on Tuesday.

It also discussed progress on the sourcing of funds for building priority roads. Madonsela would look into what happened to the budget allocated to roads in the area.

A total of 41 schools in the province had closed because of high levels of intimidation and protests – not education-related – in mainly the John Taolo Gaetsewe district municipal area.

Pupils have not been attending school since June.

Residents there have been protesting about a lack of tarred roads and other municipal services. – Sapa