The newly constructed block of classrooms at Freeway Park Primary have been declared unsafe for occupation, according to well-placed sources.
The school principal, Mary-Ann van Eeden, confirmed the reports, saying the school had to move the affected senior phase learners to alternative buildings at the school.
The new facility was unveiled in 2017, but officials later discovered that there was a problem with the roof tresses, causing leakage thereby making the classrooms unfit for occupation.
“We became aware of the situation when officials from the Gauteng Department of Education visited the school in January. The learners who were occupying those classes had been safely accommodated in other classrooms,” explained van Eeden.
A concerned parent, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of his child’s victimisation, alleged that the school and the contractor colluded and bypassed certain building procedures, such as inspection by the relevant authorities.
The school principal, however, maintained that there was no corruption from the school side, adding that they are pursuing legal actions against the contractor.
According to parents, the school made sure they were made aware of the problem through a newsletter last year. The matter wasn’t communicated formally by the school.
The school revealed that the contractor in question is one of the parents at the school.
When the Advertiser asked for comment, he said he was not aware of any complaint about the service he delivered.
He, however, stated that a few minutes before he was approached by the Advertiser on November 19, he received a call from the principal asking for a meeting with him.
The contractor promised to share details once he has met with the school management.
The school principal pointed out that the school governing body is dealing with this issue, adding that the estimated cost to repair the roof is R757 025 10 inclusive of VAT and professional fees.
The matter was apparently reported to the SAHRC, Education MEC and the public protector.
No comment was received from the three institutions at the time of going to press.
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