Education minister Angie Motshekga

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) recently published the amended draft regulations for minimum uniform norms and standards for school infrastructure, for comment in the Government Gazette.

However, there is still no guarantee that all schools will have Internet access in the next few years.

Education minister Angie Motshekga" rel=tag>Angie Motshekga published the regulations in the nick of time, in terms of a settlement agreement between Equal Education and herself, which was made an order of court by the Eastern Cape High Court in July.

The regulations stipulate, among others, that all schools have some form of wired or wireless connectivity, be fitted with a fixed telephone line, fax facilities and Internet access. All school sites must contain a name board that shows the school’s GPS co-ordinates.

A previous stipulation that required all newly built schools to have solar panels has been amended to state that all schools must have a form of electricity supply such as solar panels, generators, wind-powered energy sources or grid electrical reticulation.

Existing schools must achieve compliance with basic requirements, such as sanitation and water supply, within 10 years, and with other requirements by 2030.

DA shadow minister for education, Annette Lovemore, pointed out that all of the requirements contained in the regulation are subject to achievement being reasonably practicable. “This is understandable to a degree, but it provides an easy opt-out clause for less functional provinces,” said Lovemore.

After comment on the draft has been reviewed, Motshekga will publish the final approved regulations by 30 November.