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Gauteng Department of Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi has failed to deliver on his promise of building a new primary school at Refilwe Extension 9, Cullinan in Tshwane.

In an oral reply to my questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on 29 November 2016, MEC Lesufi confirmed that the building of the school in the area will start in February 2017.

The population size in Refilwe Extension has doubled as a result of new dwellings hence the need for the new primary school.

Chokoe Primary school is the only primary school in the area. The school is overcrowded and had close to 2000 new learners who registered in 2016.

In April this year the project manager responsible for the construction of the new school confirmed that the department has to date not issued a purchase order number for the project.

I followed up with the MEC and managed to obtain a purchase order number on 19 June 2017.

However, we were informed that there is now no budget for the building of the new school.

MEC Lesufi must prioritise the building of this new school in the area as it is desperately needed.

The DA believes that overcrowding in schools is unacceptable and that every child deserves the right to learn in a safe and conducive environment.

We will continue engaging the MEC to ensure that budget is allocated for the building of the new school in the area.

Issued by DA