As an ongoing theme within the Portfolio Committee, the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has undertaken to visit Provinces and Districts to continually monitor and oversee the work of Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) in respect of schools in their Districts, throughout the year. The Portfolio Committee received information regarding problems being experienced at schools in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. These included the possible closure of schools, protest action by members of the community, picketing and a march of various stakeholders in the community. Although the Portfolio Committee had not conducted oversight in these areas to date, it was important to meet with all the relevant stakeholders in the affected area and to make an evaluation, including monitoring and oversight.