The KwaZulu-Natal minister for education, Ina Cronje, expressed concern on Sunday over the closure of at least four farm schools in the province.
”The provincial government has learnt with great concern of the closure of some of our schools which prevent our children from having education from day one as per commitment to our learners and their parents,” she said in a statement.
She said her department met on Saturday with the agriculture department’s provincial minister, Mtholephi Mthimkhulu and the members of Congress of South Africa Trade Unions to discuss the farm schools’ problems.
Four schools on farms in Newcastle, Dundee, Greytown and Eshowe have reported problems.
”Children who attend farm schools have the right to education like any other children in the province and the country,” Cronjé said.
”We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the children affected are accommodated at schools in the interim while we resolve the matter.”
She did not elaborate on the problems being experienced.
Farmers would be included in the department’s attempt to ensure children dependent on farm schools suffered a minimum loss of teaching and learning.
”We are determined to ensure first of all that all our schools, including our farm schools, are fully functional,” Cronje said. – Sapa