ABERDEEN NEWS — The gates are locked at Kabouterland Crèche in Lotusville, a move taken very reluctantly by principal Rachel Jantjies.
The school receives a subsidy from the Department of Education, which has to cover teachers’ salaries, educational equipment and toys, and food for the children. The crèche cares for 85 children, aged from 2 to 4½ years old, but only receives a subsidy of R15 per child per day for 55 children. Parents are also asked to give R20 per month, but in reality, very few actually pay.
The last time that the school received the full amount from the Department was March. In April they received R12 000 (instead of the usual amount of around R18 000) - apparently Jantjies was told that they had been overpaid at some stage in the last financial year. From this meagre amount, salaries have to be paid to Jantjies and four other teachers. For May, June and July, no money was received, so the teachers did not receive any pay, and the children were not able to receive any meals. For many of the little ones, these cooked meals were a main source of nutrition. “In previous years, we have often not received any money until July, but we have always been paid by August” said a despondent Jantjies.
Before the beginning of the new term, the school received food parcels from the Mayor, with powdered porridge and soya mince. They were very grateful for this, and were able to give the children food for the period at the end of July. There are still a few boxes left, but when she was once again unable to pay her teachers’ salaries, Jantjies saw no other solution but to close the school.
A cardboard sign at the locked gates explains that the crèche is closed because of salary problems, and apologises for the inconvenience. Meanwhile the children have to stay at home, or play in the streets.
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