E Cape kicks off back to school campaign

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Premier Phumulo Masualle led the Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) on the back to school campaign today, when coastal schools re-opened for 2015.

"The back to school outreach has been structured in a manner that normal schooling is not disturbed. The premier and EXCO ... [had a] brief engagement with the School Management Team (SMT)," the premier's office said.

The premier's office said the visit to the schools dealt with key issues such as school transformation processes (existence of school governance structures), provision of 2015 leaner support material, eradication of mud structures, provision of school nutrition and scholar transport, and funding of the school being discussed.

The premier and education MEC also addressed teachers and learners during assembly before engaging with the School Governing Body (SGB).

"The meeting with the SGB [discussed] critical policy matters that may contribute to the well-functioning of schools," the Premier's office said.

The office said the premier and EXCO members will be expected to adopt and support a school in this current financial year.

"The school should be supported such that there is improvement on a wide range of areas, as they might have been identified during the engagement with the SMT and SGB."

Today, Premier Masualle kicked-off the visit in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality to Lwandlekazi Senior Secondary School. The school has been plagued by overcrowding over the years.

The premier also visited another school in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth, Galvandale Secondary School. The area has been plagued by drugs and alcohol abuse as well as gangsterism.

On Thursday, the premier is expected to visit Mathumbu Senior Secondary School in Dutywa, which is one of the schools affected by the non-release of matric results due to allegations of cheating by leaners.

The premier will also honour an invitation from the MEC of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Mlibo Qhoboshiyane, to attend the re-opening of Tsolo Agricultural School.

The back to school campaign will end on Friday.