Note to Editors: Please note Sakhile Mngadi, MPL sound bites in English and isiZulu
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) notes and welcomes the release of Circular 35 of 2025 by the provincial Department of Education (DoE), which now formally allows Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Provincial Legislatures (MPLs) serving on education portfolio committees to conduct school oversight inspections.
The development follows ongoing opposition from the DA after the release of Circular 29 last month, which deliberately restricted public representatives from engaging in direct oversight within schools.
These restrictions, though justified by KZN’s DoE on the grounds of maintaining order amid rising political tensions – particularly involving the ANC and MK parties – were, in our view, an alarming overreach that undermined democratic accountability.
The ability of elected representatives to monitor and assess conditions within our schools is a fundamental part of our constitutional mandate. While we acknowledge the DoE’s concerns around safety and protocol, the outright exclusion of MPL oversights was never a sustainable or acceptable solution.
The DA appreciates that the DoE has now reconsidered its stance and provided clarity through Circular 35. This shift is a positive step toward restoring transparency, rebuilding trust and reinforcing the shared responsibility we have in ensuring that every learner in KZN receives a quality education in a safe and well-managed environment.
As part of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA will continue to carry out meaningful oversight in the interests of learners, educators and communities across the province – guided by the principles of fairness, accountability and cooperation.