Uniform shortage forces Xade children out of school

Zolani Kraai | Thursday July 10, 2014 14:33

A teacher at Itekeng Junior Secondary told Mmegi that at least half the children at the school received their uniforms from the Gantsi District Council and the failure to provide these on time was causing a high rate of absences at school.

“Sometimes they get half of their uniform and this demotivates the pupils,” the teacher said requesting anonymity.

“This may eventually cause loss of interest and drop outs in school. If the situation continues, it will also affect both the pupils and the teachers’ performances.

A representative of the Xade parents, Moeti Smith, told Mmegi that since schools reopened earlier this winter, some children had stopped going to school due to the non-provision of uniforms, especially blazers which they need for the cold.

“This is a recurring situation nearly every term,” he said. “They are refusing to attend classes citing their own welfare.”

Smith said tender procurement delays at local authority level were causing the situation, as “there has always been an issue regarding purchasing”.

“The Gantsi District Council Social and Community Development Department is to blame and I don’t understand why they delay because the budget is always available on time,” he said.

 New Xade Councillor, Phaephae Raseme confirmed that learners had grievances over their uniforms, saying he had personally met the parents of four children affected by the problem.

“I always express my displeasure with the Council procedure of tendering for school uniforms during full council meetings and I have never received clear, convincing answers,” she said.

However, the Council has denied that some children have stopped going to school due to the lack of uniforms.

Council secretary, Nelson Molepolole, said he was unaware that any children had stopped attending school due to the uniform issue, but acknowledged “minimal delays” in the tendering and procurement system.

“The delays are often caused by pressure emanating from the parents or groups in the sewing and knitting business, where they would sometimes be overwhelmed by the orders (we place),” he said.

“In addition, the shortages are not about the entire uniform, but rather lack of a full uniform where perhaps the blazer is missing.” Molepolole said parents also played a role in the matter as the Council had noted instances where children are supplied with uniforms but later return without them.

“The parent would have taken it and worn it or sold it,” he said.