FRIDAY, 4.30PM:
A SHORTAGE shortage of cash for the maintenance of Eastern Cape schools has resulted in the loss this week of St Johns College Hostel by fire, and a second school being closed as a health hazard.
The Daily Dispatch reported this week that the hostel was a result of the pupils having to use candles because the provincial education department cannot afford to restore electricity to the school. An estimated R10000 worth of damage was the result.
The principal, Thandabantu Ndabeni, said pupils lost nearly all their belongings, including school uniforms. He blamed poor hostel amenities and lack of government service delivery.
In East London, the Lujiza Public School has been declared a health hazard and more than 1000 pupils will be left stranded when it closes down. Newspaper reports said the municipal community services department has been forced to intervene after the school’s water supply and sewerage systems broke down.
Early in May it was revealed by Education MEC Prof Shepherd Mayatula that there was no money for maintaining schools and warning bells rang when he said that only R5-million would be provided for electricity, phones and utilities.
By comparison the 1997/98 financial expenditure was R18.6 million before accounting for outstanding commitments.