1. The Minister does not have the power to hold principals of underperforming schools accountable, but Heads of Department (HODs) do. This is guided by section 58B of the South African Schools Act (SASA), 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996) as amended. According to subsection 1-5 of the SASA, the HoD takes the necessary steps to assist the school. However, Members of the Executive Council (MECs) report to the Minister on the identification, management and support of underperforming schools by 31 March of each calendar year. In the reports, the MECs indicate the challenges that led to underperformance, and the support programmes that will be implemented to deal with underperformance.
2. At the end of each financial year Provincial Education Departments report to the Minister the progress that has been made in supporting schools that have been identified as underperforming.
3 A table showing the number of underperforming schools per province is attached.