MALETSWAI- Learners at St. Teresa Secondary School in Maletswai(Formely known as Aliwal North) are facing a harsh reality going hungry due to a court-ordered freeze on R2.1 million earmarked for the School Nutrition Program (SNP).
The freeze stems from a contract dispute between the school administration and the School Governing Body (SGB), which engaged a printing company without notifying the district office, resulting in an outstanding debt of R450,000.
According to Eastern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Velani Mbiza Gola, the administration and SGB’s decision to involve the printing company without notification was reckless. “The department is presently working with its legal team to address the issue of the money available but learners paying the price,” Mbiza said, slamming the administration’s actions.
With learners’ stomachs growling and funds frozen, the department of education is racing against time to find a solution. Their legal team is working diligently to resolve the issue, emphasizing the importance of schools involving district offices before making significant decisions.
In addition the situation highlights the vulnerability of learners to bureaucratic blunders.
As the department works to resolve the issue, learners at St. Teresa Secondary School continue to suffer the consequences of decisions made without their best interests in mind.
photograph:supplied
