Teaching and learning were disrupted in at least 12 districts in the KZN province since last week Wednesday as the food crisis continued.
This comes after food was not delivered to schools since they reopened after the Easter holiday, leaving more than 5,000 learners without a meal, and having to concentrate on empty stomachs.
The food crisis has raised many concerns and frustrations amongst parents, teachers unions as well as a number of political parties in the province.
ActionSA KZN chairperson, Zwakele Mncwango says they have appealed to the education department for answers on when the matter will be resolved.
He believes that corruption caused by the tender awarding system was to blame for the situation.
We believe there is something going on here, and that is why we said to the MEC she must resolve this matter by the end of April.
Mncwango says that if the matter is not resolved by the end of April, the party will resort to legal action and are also contemplating engaging with the public protector.
He added that there needs to be an investigation into why the programme transitioned from using multiple food suppliers to now only using one.
Doctor Ngema, general secretary for the National Teachers Union (Natu) says that after not receiving any responses from the KZN education department, the union has now resolved to contact the national Department of Basic Education.
They added, “We want the national department to intervene, or they should take over the school nutrition programme.”
Furthermore, despite food parcels having been delivered to some schools, it is not sufficient and will only last a day or two, said a member of the SGB at Bhekisisa High School.
He added, “This means that the school will have to redirect funds, which means the school’s budget will be affected.”
Meanwhile, the department has issued a statement saying that the disruption to the school nutrition programme had occurred because the appointed service provider had encountered logistical challenges.
“The MEC for a Education, Ms Mbali Frazer directed the HOD and the top management of the department to swiftly investigate the root cause and the possible solution,” said the department’s head of communications Muzi Mahlambi.
The department says that food items have been delivered to 90% of the 5,444 schools and additional shortages in some schools in the Ugu District are currently being attended to.
