Birch Acres school project left abandoned

Members of the DA conducted an oversight visit to an unfinished school project in Birch Acres on February 6.

ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni Mayor visits solar project in Zestfontein

According to the party’s constituency head for Thembisa, Refileo Nt’sekhe, many learners in Thembisa and surrounding parts of Ekurhuleni continue to be taught in overcrowded classrooms.

She said the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has abandoned the project in Birch Acres.
When completed the new school would have 50 classrooms.

“The value of the project was R36m,” said Nt’sekhe.

Nt’sekhe added that frustrated community members continue to raise concerns over school admissions, while there is an incomplete school at their disposal that can help ease overcrowding in schools around the area.

“This incomplete brick-and-mortar school is one of many incomplete such projects across the province.

ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni care centre launches new project

“For far too long, we have been proposing that the GDE should take over the building of schools from the relevant department which has been failing to finish the projects on time and within budget.

“Failure to complete the construction of schools within the required timelines has resulted in severe overcrowding in schools and some learners being forced to commute to and from school to access quality education.

“This is costing parents more in terms of transport fees,” she said.

Nt’sekhe added that she intends to write to the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to demand answers on why the GDE has not been given the mandate to build its own schools as it has a good track record of handling its own projects.

The Express sent an enquiry to the Gauteng Department of Education regarding the school construction.

Comment was requested by February 14. At the time of going to print no comment was received.

Also follow us on: