POLITICS

Gangsterism, GBV and substance abuse rife in schools – EFF NWest

Fighters say what used to be facilities for extramural activities have turned into bushes and ruins for rapists and drug dealers

EFF North West statement on the challenges facing schools in the province

11 January 2023

The Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) in the North West will stop at nothing to promote the culture of teaching and learning in the best interest of the forgotten learners. Today, Members of the Provincial Command Team, Regional Command Teams, Branch Command Teams, Public Representatives and Ground Forces conducted schools visits in adherence to the 'EFF Back to School campaign' to ensure that 'no child is denied education'.

It has come to our dismay that the challenges of gangsterism, gender-based violence and substance abuse in schools are raging in an unprecedented manner in most schools across the North West province. It is evident, in that, what used to be facilities for extramural activities in schools turned into bushes and ruins which harbours rapists and drug dealers. It is quite clear that there is no concrete plan from the North West Provincial Government to rescue the situation.

As poor service delivery persists in the country in general, and the North West province in particular, the frustrations of the people with regard to load shedding and water crisis in many parts of the province is rising, and it manifests through endless service delivery protests. Today, residents of Lehurutshe in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality engaged in a service delivery protest in an effort to highlight their dissatisfaction with the lack of water in the municipality in a long time.

It is quite clear that the government of the day has no will to create a conducive learning environment and keep up with good hygiene and sanitation in both communities and schools. Structures of the EFF and public representatives will continue waging a tireless war against the ongoing incompetence by the government, and ensure that the fundamental rights of both the learners and residents are protected. We call for the immediate intervention from Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municpality and the North West Provincial Government.

Issued by Shakes Botswe, Provincial Chairperson, EFF, 11 January 2023