03 Dec 2013

Artesia Junior Secondary School has been operating above its normal capacity since 2012 as a temporary measure to alleviate the challenges that were faced by Mphutlhe JSS which was relocating to a new site due to tectonic effects, Parliament has been informed.

Answering a question in Parliament, Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Patrick Masimolole said he was not aware that Artesia JSS was a 12 stream school operating at 15 streams.

Mr Masimolole noted that apart from the classrooms, which were meant for a 12 stream school, the staffing and resources provided were commensurate with 15 stream school.

He also said when Mphutlhe JSS relocated, it was built without hostels and the challenge had persisted, while the ministry has provision in the next plan period to build hostels at the school.

Kgatleng West Mr Gilbert Mangole had asked if the minister of Education and Skills Development was aware that Artesia JSS was a 12 stream school but currently it was operating as a 15 stream.

He had also wanted to know whether the staffing and resource allocations were commensurate with a 15 stream school, if not, when and how did the minister intend to correct the normally. ENDS