Natu berates KZN education department

DURBAN - Thousands of KwaZulu-Natal pupils relying on the national school nutrition programme are likely to attend classes on an empty stomach because food hasn't been delivered to their schools since classes resumed last week.

READ: School Nutrition Programme | No food at 5400 KZN schools

This is due to logistical issues faced by the main supplier.

The National Teachers Union says the provincial department dropped the ball and demonstrated incompetence in its procurement processes.

Natu general-secretary Doctor Ngema said, "in the past, the suppliers will bring food for the entire week into schools but this time around the department has decided to appoint one service provider for the entire province to cater for 2.3 million learners for about 5,400 schools."

"When we tried to engaged with the department, they expressed shock and they said they're regretting what happened and asked schools to use food left from the deliveries done before Easter Holidays."

"As to how much was left and whether that food is still there in schools, they do not know. We calling on them to fix this thing because in the beginning, we don't know why they changed the system that was working."