Angry parents halt teaching and learning at school
Gauteng Department of Education is concerned about the ongoing disruptions.
Tsakani – Parents of learners at Sizuzile Primary School have vowed that teaching will not resume until the department of infrastructure commits to the date of starting the construction of a permanent structure.
For over three weeks, teaching and learning have been disrupted by preventing learners and teachers from accessing the school grounds.
The angry mob torched the security office and broke classroom windows.
They alleged the department committed to building a permanent structure within four years when the school moved to the temporary structures 13 years ago, but it has since gone back on its word.
A parent, Mandlenkosi Zulu, said over the years the temporary classrooms have become unsafe with the roofs leaking, wooden floors covered in holes, the classes infested with rats and learners often getting electrical shocks.
“We cannot allow our children to be exposed to such danger and hope they come out alive,” he said.
One of the cooks at the school, who asked not to be named, confirmed that they often have to sieve the maize meal and rice from either being damp by the leaking roof or rat urine.
“I clean four classrooms daily and often get shocked. I now know which parts of the classes I am not supposed to touch on rainy days.
“I fear for the children’s safety in the classes. A teacher tripped and injured herself because of the holes in the class floors,” she added.
Member of the SGB Adelaide Ndimande said over the years they have been sent back and forth between the departments of education and infrastructure development.
“None of the officials want to give us an answer on when they will start with construction. We will not allow the business of the school to continue until they give us a straight answer. Our children’s safety should be considered,” she added.
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Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department is aware of the situation and is deeply concerned about the ongoing disruptions.
“In the interests of ensuring that our learners do not lose more learning time, we urge all stakeholders to use available structures to raise their concerns and not to disrupt schooling. We urge all stakeholders not to disrupt schooling as lost contact time is not easily recovered,” he said.
Mabona added that they would continue to monitor the situation and intervene accordingly. The Department of Infrastructure spokesperson Castro Ngobese said the project should have started long ago.
The prolonged delay was because one of the service providers, who was subsequently withdrawn, went to court.
“We are ready to appoint a service provider to start with the work, but amid a court case and well-organised chaos in the area, it will be impossible to start with the project.
“We have previous engagements with the community on the status of the project. We remain committed to building a new school for the community,” he said.
He added regarding the current state of the temporary classrooms, the DoE is working to resolve it through their internal processes informed by their available resources.
