School seeks help to overcome overcrowding
"The minimum number of learners in our classes is 56 on average and the maximum is 73. The number of learners has passed the statutory maximum number which is 30," he added.
SKHILA – The average number of pupils per teacher in a classroom is 30, however, at Skhila Secondary School 73 are crammed into one classroom.
According to Mr Gerald Mokoena, the principal, the overcrowded classrooms hinder effective teaching. “When learners are crammed into one class, it makes teaching hardly possible and it also affects the results of the school,” said Mokoena.
“The minimum number of learners in our classes is 56 on average and the maximum is 73. The number of learners has passed the statutory maximum number which is 30,” he added.
“The expansion of human settlements in Lydenburg/Mashishing has resulted in our learner population increasing, which caused the shortage of classes and overcrowding in our school,” he explained.
“We would like to ask community members, businesses and those who can, to help us build classrooms for our learners,” he said.
“We are asking for any building materials that the public can assist us with, it can be bricks, cement or corrugated iron,” he said.
Mpumalanga Department of Education spokesman, Mr Jasper Zwane said the department was not aware of the shortage of classes at Skhila Secondary School. “We were not aware, although we support the decision by the school. Some schools protest when they face such challenges, but this school chose to stand up and do something to change their current situation,” he added.
Anyone who wants to help, can contact Skhila Secondary School on 013-235-2540.
