Over 600 000 enrolled at No Fee schools in the Western Cape

Dear Editor

The DA in the Western Cape notes and welcomes the increase of students benefiting from fee compensation or free education in the province.

In my capacity as chairperson of the Standing Committee on Education in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, I will submit parliamentary questions to the Minister of Education in the Western Cape, Debbie Schäfer, to inquire about the Ministry’s plans for future enrollment into no fee schools to assist poor students and ensure they have access quality education.

The latest general household survey has revealed that the number of students enrolled in No Fee Schools around the country has increased tremendously. The Western Cape alone has over 600 000 students enrolled at no fee schools in 2016, nearly half the number of students in schools around the province.

It is important to note that 98,5% of schools in the Western Cape are either no fee schools or have benefited from fee compensation. The Department has also noted that many schools in fee paying areas are just as poor as schools in quintiles one to three, and as a result has added 216 schools to the No fee schools list. This not only highlights the Western Cape Education Department’s commitment to assisting our poorer schools, but also the Department’s commitment to assisting our fee paying schools to accommodate poorer learners.

Education is the cornerstone of every society and is the most important investment we can make on our children. We need to ensure that children of school going age receive quality education that will open opportunities in the future and ensure that we build a functioning society.

The DA led Western Cape Government is committed to expanding quality education across the province and providing opportunities for youth to realise their full potential.

Regards

Basil Kivedo MPP