Gauteng Education Department fails to identify asbestos schools

13 October 2016

While the Gauteng Department of Education claims it has identified all asbestos schools in the province, the DA has knowledge of at least three additional schools that the department has not included in its comprehensive list of such schools.

Chloorkop Primary, Parkdale Primary and Noordgesig High School have asbestos facilities but are not mentioned in the department’s list of 29 asbestos schools to be rebuilt. 

Given the health risks posed by asbestos, it is unacceptable that the Department, which has had ample time to identify asbestos schools, still does not know how many schools need to be rebuilt.

Learners at these schools continue to be exposed to unsafe learning conditions without any relief in sight from the department.

The DA will inform Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi of these schools and insist that they be placed on the list of schools that need to be upgraded in the 2017/18 financial year.

Issued by Khume Ramulifho, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, 13 October 2016