Motshekga shocked

Hope Mokgatlhe, spokesperson for Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, said it was unacceptable to have 153 learners in one classroom.

“It’s not an ideal situation and the province has to deal with it,” said Mokgatlhe.

Mokgatlhe confirmed Eastern Cape was not the only province with problems of overcrowding and teacher shortages, and said the department of basic education and the provinces were working on the problem.

“The problem of infrastructure in the Eastern Cape is very real. The province has a crisis in terms of infrastructure. For instance, it has the highest number of mud schools in the country, but the department and Minister Motshekga is aware of these issues and working around the clock to address them.

“The Eastern Cape is one of the top priorities for the minister because of these problems,” she said.

Section27 director Mark Heywood referred to the situation at Meyisi Senior Secondary School as madness.

“You can’t teach 50 learners in one classroom. Having 153 is complete madness. It is unacceptable and unlawful, as every child has the right to a decent education,” Heywood said.