Schools struggle with furniture shortage
The department said there's an annual audit that is done with schools for the preparation and procurement of the furniture.
A recent article published by the Benoni City Times, titled ‘School receives chair donation’ in the issue dated June 23, highlighted the critical shortage of furniture at local schools.
Mabuya Secondary School in Daveyton received a donation of 1 000 chairs from Masimong Foundation after the school asked for help because they did not have enough chairs for learners.
This donation revealed a broad challenge faced by the majority of schools, which are suffering due to the shortage of furniture and even classrooms.
In September, ACDP Ekurhuleni Council Caucus reported that Lesiba High School in Daveyton had insufficient chairs and that learners had to sit on their desks or on the floor.
ACDP councillor Tambo Mokoena said that those who were lucky to have chairs mustn’t let them out of their sight and carry them to the next class.
“Even teachers don’t have chairs and are sometimes forced to sit on desks while marking,” said Mokoena.
The Benoni City Times sent an enquiry to the Gauteng Department of Education to find out why organisations are now forced to step up and assist when the supply of furniture to schools is the department’s responsibility.
Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said any organisation can choose to donate any resource that a school may need because it is in the interest of the community.
The department further admitted that it is aware of the shortages of chairs in the abovementioned schools.
“The department has an annual audit that is done with the schools for the preparation and procurement of furniture in line with needs and allocated budget.
“Therefore, we might not have sufficient furniture available for all the needs at all our schools. It must be noted that we did receive a request from Lesiba High School and subsequently, on March 8, the school received 450 chairs and on April 13, 532 desks,” said Mabona.
Guidelines on how schools should apply for furniture:
• The school should write a letter to their district office to request furniture when there is a need.
• Once the request is received, it will be escalated to head office to distribute available furniture.
Also Read: Donation puts bums on seats
Also Read: WATCH: Individual caught on CCTV allegedly attempting to steal chairs
