The Mpumalanga Department of Education refutes the assertion made by the Democratic Alliance that it has closed two independent schools.
Shammah College closed on its own account citing financial challenges, low enrolment and poor payment of fees by parents.
The department only withdrew its subsidy to Shammah College since the school performed below the provincial average in their 2013 Grade 12 results.
In 2013 Grade 12 results Shammah College obtained 69.2% while the provincial average was 77.6% .This is in accordance to the dictates of the National Norms and Standards for School funding, amended in 2008.
The department working with the leadership of this school including parents made every effort to ensure that the learners are at no stage disadvantaged by this outcome. The department does not know of any learner who has been left stranded.
As for the Barberton Academy this school is up and running. The owner was intending to close the school after he relocated from Barberton. He wrote letters to parents indicating his intention but could no longer proceed with that process. As we speak teaching and learning is the order of the day at this school and is being monitored on daily basis by the department.
It will be appreciated in future that the Democratic Alliance to verify issues first with the department before it issues media statements.
Enquiries:
Mr Jasper Zwane
Cell: 083 743 1804
