Monday chaos as schools not ready to open
Police had to be called in to calm down angry parents and community members as schools reopened on Monday.
KANYAMAZANE – While teaching and learning resumed without hindrances in other parts of the province, no schooling took place in KaNyamazane, Pienaar, Clau Clau or KaBokweni, as community members prevented pupils from entering the schools’ premises.
Residents demanded that MEC for education, Bonakele Majuba, see the appalling conditions of some of the schools in the area for himself.
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Their main concern was the safety of their children as well as that of the teachers. At Masihambisane Primary School in KaNyamazane, parents said conditions at the school were not appropriate to welcome back learners.
They argued that it has long been neglected by government and does not meet all the necessary health requirements to reopen. “First of all, Masihambisane Primary School has never been fumigated or cleaned, yet government expects us to send our children there. The school governing body has informed us that there are no masks, sanitisers, water or personal protective equipment. How can we allow our children to be in such an environment?” asked Surprise Mkhatshwa, a community member.
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Mkhatshwa, accompanied by a number of other residents, took Mpumalanga News on a school tour with the intention of laying bare the true state of affairs.
“As you can see, there is only one working toilet and no water at all. Classroom windows and ceilings are broken and it is already winter now. “The roof of the building is in bad state since it was destroyed by the hailstorm in 2018 and was never repaired. In short, this school is a health hazard and a death trap for our children,” Mkhatshwa added. He said Masihambisane Primary School has since become a haven for criminals and nyaope addicts.
“There is no security and with criminals using it as their hideout, we feel that our children are no longer safe. Only recently, teachers were attacked here and criminals broke in and stole everything,” he went on. The Provincial Department of Education said it was pleased with the good start of the reopening of schools, following the easing of lockdown restrictions to level 3. “The department takes the safety of all learners, teachers and support staff as a top priority at our schools, hence we encourage everyone to observe the safety regulations and procedures. ”
The majority of our schools opened without hitches, with the exception of those that did not comply with the Covid-19 safety standards and protocols,” said the department’s spokesperson, Jasper Zwane. He acknowledged the fact the there are a few schools which did not open due to lack of water and sanitation.
“The department is currently collating information on those schools from the circuits to be consolidated to enable urgent intervention,” said Zwane. At the time going to press all the schools affected had not reopened, but circuits were busy fumigating them. Zwane said they will be ready for teaching and learning by Monday.
