200 Gauteng schools face axe

[Nod]

200 Gauteng schools face axe
07/01/2007 17:02 - (SA)

Johannesburg - The Gauteng department of education has threatened to close down 200 badly performing schools, the SABC reported.

Department spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi said the department had given principals until the end of January to present plans to turn their schools around.

However, he said education MEC Angie Motshekga was convinced the only solution was to close down the schools.

"They are part of what the education minister calls non-functional schools.

"So, in Gauteng, we have given them until January 30 to tell us what they will do to turn around the situation," he said.

Can't justify investment

"But, the MEC has reached the stage where she believes these schools are just absorbing state money and resources, but the end results are absolutely nothing."

Lesufi also said the department could not justify the amount of money invested in those schools.

"If we compare the output that we receive, we believe we have no choice but to close them down."

Source: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2051865,00.html

Where are all these kids going to go to get an education?

 

[Nick333]

Source: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2051865,00.html

Where are all these kids going to go to get an education?

I hear you. The problem seems to be that they're not getting one anyway.

 

[Nod]

I hear you. The problem seems to be that they're not getting one anyway.

Ok, so the best alternative is to put all of these kids on the street? Shouldn't the department try to get to the cause of the problem?

Possible problems:

• No discipline.
• Teachers are not "enabled" for the new syllabus.
• The kids are really dumb.
• Proper teaching aids are missing.
• Funding is not adequate.

Feel free to add, or revise some of these causes.

I feel that 30days to come up with a plan is a step, but saying you will close the school, is a bit much. Rather offer assistance in identifying the problems, and setting up of a plan to rectify it.

 

[Darth Garth]

The kids are really dumb.

There is no such thing as a dumb kid unless he is brain damaged.

Some kids don't want to put in the effort required to succeed at school although poverty, lazyand disfunctional teachers and home situations are indeed serious obstacles to bridge.

Closing the schools is not the answer.

 

[Nick333]

Ok, so the best alternative is to put all of these kids on the street? Shouldn't the department try to get to the cause of the problem?

Possible problems:

• No discipline.
• Teachers are not "enabled" for the new syllabus.
• The kids are really dumb.
• Proper teaching aids are missing.
• Funding is not adequate.

Feel free to add, or revise some of these causes.

I feel that 30days to come up with a plan is a step, but saying you will close the school, is a bit much. Rather offer assistance in identifying the problems, and setting up of a plan to rectify it.

I was just saying that these kids are already being screwed.

It does seem a bit strange. I would think the department is actually directly responsible for the running of schools. Surely they should be threatening to fire principles or whoever is directly responsible for the running of the schools.

It's also possible that the students from these schools could be absorbed by other schools who could then benefit from the extra funds that would be available.

 

[Nod]

It's also possible that the students from these schools could be absorbed by other schools who could then benefit from the extra funds that would be available.

Maybe, but from what I've heard, schools are already full to such an extent that have to turn kids away, with waiting lists of up to a year. I really can't see how this many kids will be absorbed.

The impact on the family as a whole should also be considered. Parents might have to buy new uniforms, extra petrol for transportation, etc, etc. Then there is the teachers themselves. Some might find work at other schools, others won't. This will impact their families as well.

 

[Nick333]

I'd forgotten how depressing the News and current affairs forum was.