Chief director in the Mpumalanga Department of Education suspended for failing SA students in Russia. Photo: Study in Russia/ Facebook.
Chief director suspended for failing to care for students in Russia
Education Department Chief director suspended for failing 200 SA students in Russia by never paying tuition and accommodation expenses
Chief director in the Mpumalanga Department of Education suspended for failing SA students in Russia. Photo: Study in Russia/ Facebook.
The DA in Mpumalanga welcomed the suspension of the province’s Education Department chief director for failing SA students in Russia.
WHY CHIEF DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IS SUSPENDED
The suspension comes after the premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane visited Russia to establish the reasons behind the freezing of South African students at their respective higher learning institutions.
The department is responsible for over 200 students enrolled on different courses in Russia. However, the students have been subject to an unpleasant ordeal this year as the department is facing challenges with the placement agency.
MPL DA Spokesperson on the Department of Education Jane Sithole said over the past few months, these students have been pleading for help as they revealed that their accommodation, tuition fees and meal allowances were not taken care of.
STUDENTS IN RUSSIA SUFFER DUE TO UNPRIORITISED CONTRACT
Despite the department downplaying the seriousness of the matter, it emerged that there was no agreement with the placement agency, Jane revealed.
“The DA finds it ironic that a senior ranking official within the Department of Education failed to realize the importance of education.”
Sithole
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She added: “Our education system in the country is in tatters, thanks to the incapable ANC government. It is even more disheartening to witness their administration gamble with the future of our young, dedicated students who have worked hard to be where they are”.
“As much as we welcome the premier’s decision on the matter, an urgent investigation on the placement agency and the department will be adequate,” she suggested.
SITHOLE CALLS ON HEADS OF DEPARTMENT TO SORT THIS PROBLEM OUT
Sithole believes a full report stipulating how the department failed to reach an agreement with the agency and recommendations to remedy the situation should be prioritized.
“This will be in the best interest of learners who have the prospect of studying abroad through this initiative,” she said.
Sithole
“The DA will not sit back and watch the ANC government run this initiative to the ground. The department’s shortcomings at schooling level in the province are well documented.”
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She went on to say these shortcomings cannot be tolerated at this level, considering that these are students who are on the verge of adding value to the growth of this country.
“The DA calls on the MEC of Education Bonakele Majuba and the premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane to urgently find a suitable agency that will work with the department and find a sustainable solution to this matter,” she concluded.
