Kwa-Thema – As part of the school readiness programme, MEC for Finance and e-Government Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell visited schools in Kwa-Thema on Wednesday morning.
This was to assess whether schools were complying with Covid-19 regulations and to ensure the environment was conducive for learning.
The annual campaign by the Gauteng Provincial Government aims to assess the state of learning and teaching on the first day to ensure learning is done in a conducive environment.
The programme kickstarted at Kenneth Masekela Secondary School, where the team identified that the school was not maintained.
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It identified broken windows, a damaged ceiling, a vandalised security fence, neglected sports grounds and a damaged water pipe system affecting the bathrooms and kitchen.
The team then moved to Kwa-Thema Stimulation Centre and ended at Lefa-Ifa Secondary School.
Nkomo-Ralehoko said she was disappointed by the poor maintenance of the infrastructure at Kenneth Masekele Secondary.
“We understand that the building is old, but through regular maintenance some of the problems could be avoided.
“We have a budget that is allocated for maintenance. It needs to be used to ensure the learners study in a conducive environment,” she added.
Campbell pledged her support to the school.
“I will ask the youth desk in the metro to extend its programmes to the school to help fight substance abuse and teenage pregnancy.
“We will also monitor the school closely to ensure all the identified problem areas are addressed,” she added.
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At Kwa-Thema Stimulation Centre, the chairperson of the board, Mxolisi Nkutha, said they need support to build a hostel for the learners who live far away.
“We need to extend the centre to add a play area, as at the moment, the parking space is also used as the play area.
“We previously applied but our application was turned down, yet a tavern was approved to operate nearby,” he said.
The officials also donated dignity packs and school shoes and planted a tree at the schools.
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