School in Wesselton operates in horrendous conditions that pose a threat to learner’s lives
Apart from this real danger, the school has dilapidated buildings, filthy toilets, which are too few to accomodate about 1 300 learners, and open electrical wires on its grounds, which according to the SGB recently electrocuted a dog and a goat roaming about on the premises.
WESSELTON – About 100 learners are crammed into a small classroom with broken windows, a broken ceiling, exposed electrical wires and only a few chairs, forcing some to sit on cardboard boxes and others on the cold concrete floor.
Typically, learners are very proud of their schools, uniforms and badges, but that is not the case with the learners of Cebisa Secondary School in Phumula, Wesselton.
See all the photos of the horrendous conditions at the school: HERE
Highvelder spoke with four of the school’s top academic achievers in Grade 12, who shared their concerns and fears openly.
One of those learners was a shy but very articulate Thabo Mkhonazi, who wants to one day become an orthopedic surgeon.
“I’ve been a learner at this school since Grade 8. There has been some improvements, albeit miniscule, but overall the school is honestly not conducive to learning,” he said.
“There is a shortage of textbooks, especially our English and isiZulu handbooks, and as a result we have to share among one another. I find this to be especially difficult.”
He said the school is not safe at all.
According to a member of the school’s governing body (SGB), just a few months ago, two of the security guards were stabbed and since then, nobody wants the job anymore.
The area is rife with gangsterism, according to the SGB member.
Apart from this real danger, the school has dilapidated buildings, filthy toilets, which are too few to accomodate about 1 300 learners, and open electrical wires on its grounds, which according to the SGB recently electrocuted a dog and a goat roaming about on the premises.
Photo | Wayne van der Walt
The school currently shares an electrical transformer with the Sqola informal settlement. The two animals were discovered near the illegally connected electric wires running through the schoolyard.
Covid-19 regulations are non-existent, as in the overcrowded classes mentioned.
Make sure to read the complete article in the Highvelder.
