MSHADZA – After receiving numerous calls from concerned parents of learners from Siyafundza primary, worried about scholar patrolling, Mpumalanga News went to investigate their grievances on Tuesday morning.
The disturbed parents were worried about the young ones crossing the busy road on their own saying it was putting their safety at risk.
According to the teachers we found helping the primary school learners cross the street, the problem was temporary because the responsible learners were busy with their first term exams.
However they pointed out that they experience challenges with several motorists who do not co-operate when they are supposed to stop and give the learners a chance to cross the road.
“Some drivers, especially taxi drivers do not want to stop when it’s their turn to stop and that gives us problems.
Another problem we face is that many drivers try to bypass the speed hump next to where the children cross, making it difficult for them to cross safely,” said one of the teachers.
We also spoke to the teacher responsible for scholar patrol at the school,Mr Chairman Chiloane, and he said that even though there are challenges here and there, things were under control and parents did not have to panic.
“We have actually delayed to train the learners because of the road works that are in process on the R538 but in the meantime there are teachers who assist the children every morning and afternoon and we can assure all parents to relax.
We are concerned about the children’s safety as much as they are,” Chiloane said, adding that he understood their concerns very well..
