Chairperson, I move without notice on behalf of the DA:
That the Council -
1) notes that various school governing bodies have closed their schools in the Eastern Cape due to the nonperformance of the department of basic education;
2) further notes that some of the reasons mooted are that -
a) these schools have not received any payment for their outstanding municipal service fees for school hostels, which the department of basic education should pay on a monthly basis;
b) the Eastern Cape department of education has committed in writing to specific "runs" of payments, which had not been done last week; and
c) temporary teachers had not been appointed or paid;
3) acknowledges that the activities of the SGBs in closing schools to the detriment of the learners is illegal and of great concern; and
4) calls on the Minister of Basic Education to -
a) assess the current situation;
b) call meetings between the department of basic education in the Eastern Cape and the SGBs of schools that have been closed as a matter of urgency; and
c) make a full statement on the issues addressed to prevent more schools from closing.
Is there any objection to the motion? [Interjections.] There's an objection. In light of the objection, the motion may not be proceeded with. The motion without notice will now become a notice of motion.