The Eastern Cape education portfolio committee has supported the education department's plan to eradicate all mud structure schools by 2010.

The chairman of the education portfolio committee, Mahlubandile Qwase, on Monday backed promises by MEC Johnny Makgato replace mud schools by the end of the 2008/9 financial year as a possible feat with the proper planning.

Qwase, who conceded the department had failed to do away with mud schools because of poor planning in recent years, said on Monday the department was now geared up to tackle the backlog of 854 mud schools and hundreds of others which had been declared disaster schools.

"It is possible to see mud schools put aside by the end of 2009 only if the department prioritises the schools, and beefs up its procurement policies and gets all the partners on board to build the schools by 2010," said Qwase.

Early this year, newly appointed MEC Makgato said in his induction speech that mud schools would be eradicated, despite the backlog of 854 schools.

Provincial education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said the department was pressing ahead with replacing the schools, but R11-billion was needed from the national treasury and partners to make the vision a reality.

He said of the R625-million allocated for infrastructure revamp in the Eastern Cape this year, R90-million had been dedicated to the rehabilitation of mud schools.

Three schools in every district would be rehabilitated.

Pulumani said: "The MEC has indicated he has a radical approach that will result in eradication of mud schools by the end of the 2008/2009 financial year."

"His starting premise is to ensure that he harnesses all social partners who have indicated their willingness to build schools so that the project is a success."

Makgato's approach includes roping in the national treasury and State entities, including the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Telkom, and PetroSA.

Makgato said mud schools would be a forgotten relic by the end of 2009.

The rehabilitation of these schools would entail construction of between three and five classrooms, and combining smaller schools. "We are looking at combining adjacent schools in areas where there are dwindling numbers," Makgato said.

Eastern Province Herald