Latest news with #MatomeChiloane
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Officials suspended over stalled repairs at Noordgesig Secondary
Officials accused of failing to complete post-fire upgrades as department launches investigation. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has suspended two Infrastructure Unit inspectors over alleged failures to complete urgent repair work at Noordgesig Secondary School in Soweto. The department took swift action on Wednesday, suspending the officials tasked with overseeing reconstruction efforts after a fire severely damaged the school on June 27, 2024. Repairs not completed 'The department had allocated funds for urgent repairs and reconstruction work,' the GDE said in a statement. 'However, it is suspected that repairs might have not been completed, and some of the committed upgrades are suspected to have been partially done or not carried out at all.' According to the department, the suspended inspectors were responsible for monitoring and managing the project. Their suspension follows concerns raised about the state of the school infrastructure nearly a year after the fire. ALSO READ: School closes Friday for three-week break: Educational activities to keep kids busy Internal probe launched The GDE confirmed it has launched an internal investigation to uncover the full facts surrounding the failed repairs. 'We will announce the outcome of said investigation once it has been completed,' the department stated. Last year, the fire disrupted learning and raised urgent safety concerns among the school community. In response, the department committed to a series of upgrades to restore functionality and ensure a safe learning environment. The GDE said it remains committed to ensuring accountability and restoring the school infrastructure. 'Subsequently, we will announce the outcome of said investigation once it has been completed,' it concluded. ALSO READ: Here's how many Gauteng schools damaged by fire have been repaired Fire-damaged schools still need repairs Furthermore, Education MEC Matome Chiloane, in a written response posed in the legislature, confirmed that 29 schools had been damaged by fire since the 2021-22 financial year. Of these 29 schools, six have been repaired by the GDE at a cost of R9.3 million, roughly one per year at an average cost of R15 million per project. However, an additional 10 schools were fixed using funds made available by insurance companies, School Governing Body donations or private sponsors. 13 schools still need repairs and have been handed over to another government department. 'It must be noted that damages were of such a nature that it required extensive work to be done in the affected schools,' stated Chiloane's response. 'In this regard, the work was referred to the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development for implementation,' it explained. NOW READ: Schools or war zones? Ministers unveil 'Safe Schools Protocol' to end violence
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- TimesLIVE
DA slams poor fire safety as 13 Gauteng schools still to be repaired after blazes
More than a dozen Gauteng schools that were damaged by fire have not been repaired, up to five years after the incidents were reported. Since 2019, 29 schools across the province have been damaged by fire, but only six have been fixed by the Gauteng department of education (GDE), at a total cost of R9,301,040. Thirteen schools have neither been assessed nor repaired, while 10 schools were fixed using school insurance, the school governing body (SGB), or donations. The Gauteng education MEC, Matome Chiloane, revealed this in response to questions by the DA in the provincial legislature. The DA slammed the government's response, saying the situation reflected a wider problem of poor fire safety protocols in schools. 'Fire safety protocol deficiencies in Gauteng schools have been exposed, with 29 schools burnt down since 2019,' said Sergio Isa Dos Santos, DA Gauteng shadow MEC for education.
Mail & Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Gauteng needs 200 more schools, says education MEC Chiloane
The increase in learners is exacerbated by people relocating to Gauteng, and private-public partnerships are required to address overcrowding. File photo The Gauteng education department is in the process of securing private sector funding to build 200 schools after receiving R2.5 billion from the national treasury for the 2025-26 financial year to build 18 schools, MEC Matome Chiloane has said. 'I would say [we need] about 200 schools — it would make a big difference. We are coming up with different strategies. Amongst those which I do believe will work quicker is the public-private partnership,' Chiloane told journalists at the weekend. The provincial department said it faced an The Gauteng department of infrastructure development says it plans to build 20 new schools by 2029, averaging about four schools per year. Gauteng, the country's most populous province, currently has 5 790 public schools. Infrastructure growth has, however, not kept up with learner enrollments. Between 2014 and 2023, only 28 new schools were built, averaging one school for every 12 035 additional learners. During the 2023-24 financial year, KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of schools either built or renovated, with three projects completed, followed by Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, which each Chilaone said the increase in learners is exacerbated by people relocating to Gauteng and that private-public partnerships are therefore required to address overcrowding. 'The private sector comes on board to work with us to build schools, and then they hand over to us so that we can utilise them, and then we come into some form of agreement. So, that is in the process; we are just tightening the process,' he said. Chiloane's comments echo those of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who has been actively championing a shift toward stronger During a basic education lekgotla earlier this year, Gwarube again stressed that private sector partners are not merely financial supporters but 'thinking partners' who can contribute data, insight and innovative solutions to enhance foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes. 'The basic education sector is reeling from budget constraints. In this climate, corporate partnerships are critical in serving our 13.5 million learners across the country, regardless of where they come from. However, in partnering with corporations, we must implement measures to manage branding in schools. Partnerships are key and so is protecting our learners,' she said. Earlier this year, the basic education department welcomed a McDonald's-led initiative that introduced solar-powered ' In May, Gwarube estimated that R32 billion was needed to provide additional classrooms at more than 8 200 overcrowded schools, while R14 billion would be required to construct over 13 000 toilets to meet minimum norms and standards. The minister has said that 90% of the country's 22 381 public schools are in
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Here's how many Gauteng schools damaged by fire have been repaired
The GDE stated almost 30 schools had been damaged by fire in the last five years but only 16 had been repaired. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has elaborated on the progress of repairing fire-damaged schools. Several schools have gone up in flames in recent years, most notably the 11 classrooms gutted at Riverlea High School in April. In a written response to questions posed in the provincial legislature, Education MEC Matome Chiloane signed off on details relating to repair efforts and precautions taken by schools. Only half of schools repaired The GDE confirmed recently that 29 schools had been damaged by fire since the 2021-22 financial year. Six of these 29 schools have been repaired by the GDE at a cost R9.3 million — roughly one per year at an average cost of R15 million per project. However, an additional 10 schools were fixed using funds made available by insurance companies, School Governing Body donations or private sponsors. Repairs at 13 schools are still outstanding, and the projects have since been handed over to another government department. 'It must be noted that damages were of such a nature that it required extensive work to be done in the affected schools,' stated Chiloane's response. 'In this regard, the work was referred to Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development for implementation,' it explained. Assessments and reports on the outstanding repairs are still pending, so the values of the remaining projects have not been determined. Lack of firefighting resources Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education Sergio dos Santos stressed that schools were not properly equipped to deal with fires. 'We demand a comprehensive review of the current safety measures to identify weaknesses and develop solutions to protect our schools and ensure the safety of our learners,' he stated. The majority of the fires have occurred after hours, and in the case of the Riverlea fire, police are investigating a suspected case of arson. 'The intentional sabotage of our schools by setting fires is unacceptable and must be condemned,' stated Dos Santos. The GDE explained that schools were left vulnerable to fire as only basic reaction tools existed due to a lack of resources. 'Due to financial constraints, the schools have limited fire safety measures, such as fire extinguishers and fire alarms,' stated the GDE. School safety measures These gaps are filled with training and awareness programmes, as well as the work of school safety committees. The GDE stated that the existing safety protocols were 'limited' but focused on basic firefighting and first aid training for pupils and teachers. Additionally, safety committee members are mandated to promote fire safety in schools, identify potential hazards, and contribute to the school management team. The GDE states that training is continuous and equips teachers to contain emergency situations while waiting for professional responders. 'Communique are sent to the schools to promote compliance for the safety equipment and schools are directed to ensure annual maintenance for the equipment to always be functional,' the department explained. NOW READ: Bela Act guidelines issued, minister accused of 'worthless' delays
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- The Citizen
Grade 12 learner allegedly stabs Grade 11 to death outside Pretoria school gate
A Grade 11 learner died after being fatally stabbed outside Lesedi Secondary School in Lethabong, an informal settlement in Donkerhoek, Tshwane, yesterday. According to the education department, the perpetrator was allegedly a Grade 12 learner from the same school. Pretoria Rekord reports that the MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, says police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic stabbing. Chiloane says preliminary reports suggest that the Grade 12 learner did not attend school that day but allegedly arrived when school came out. He adds that just as learners were boarding their scholar transport, the Grade 12 learner allegedly stabbed the Grade 11 learner just outside the school yard. 'The victim was rushed to Lethabong Healthcare Clinic, where he was sadly certified dead on arrival,' Chilaone explains. He says he is deeply saddened by this tragic incident. 'In response, the Gauteng Department of Education has dispatched a team of psychologists and our School Safety Unit to the school to provide trauma counselling to affected learners and educators, while strengthening safety interventions at the school.' He says the department is heartbroken by this senseless act of violence. 'No child should ever lose their life in the pursuit of education. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and the school community during this incredibly painful time.' He says the department condemns all forms of violence in and around schools, particularly by learners. 'Our schools must remain spaces of learning, safety and hope, not breeding grounds for brutality and violence. Learners must understand that violence has life-altering consequences. Such actions will not only remove you from the classroom, but may ultimately place you behind bars,' says Chiloane. Comment from SAPS had not been received at the time of publishing. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
