Parliament Concerned by Western Cape Education Department’s Ongoing School Feeding Scheme Amid Lockdown

Nyakallo Tefu

The Western Cape Department of Education has come under fire following its decision to go it alone by launching an R18 million feeding school programme in the province during the national lockdown.

Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, said she was concerned that the provincial department of education MEC Debbie Schafer, as well as the Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, are continuing with the feeding school programme despite the President Cyril Ramaphosa having declared a national lockdown.

Mbinqo-Gigaba said members of the public in the Western Cape have raised concerns regarding social distancing in the province.  

Mbinqo-Gigaba said many people questioned Schafer’s decision to go ahead with the school feeding scheme even after Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga made it clear that the department will not be able to continue with the feeding programme as this will contravene social distancing rules put in