First day of school: Department of Safety visits Umsebe Primary in Wesselton
The department was informed of the challenges the school is facing during its visit there on the first day.
As part of the annual school reopening programme, the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) visited Umsebe Primary School in Wesselton, Msukaligwa Local Municipality, on Wednesday January 11.
The acting HOD of DCCSL, Godfrey Ntombela, led the delegation on behalf of the department’s MEC, Vusi Shongwe.
The school has an enrolment of about 1 200 learners and 37 educators. It is also one of the oldest schools in the area, having been established more than 75 years ago.
Ntombela was briefed by the school management team about some of the challenges, which include ageing infrastructure and the need for a school library, among others.
ALSO READ: First day of school: Mpumalanga MEC for health visits Kwanang Primary School
In a statement, the DCSSL’s spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, said, “The HOD undertook to escalate these challenges to the relevant departments so that a proper assessment could be done to determine the most suitable interventions.”
After the visit, the department announced it would sponsor soccer and netball kits to the school. It also donated school uniforms to 15 identified deserving learners.
ALSO READ: Mpumalanga Department of Education says schools should not force parents to buy extra stationery
Ntombela encouraged the learners to take their schoolwork seriously and to respect their educators. “I applaud the management of the school and educators for soldiering on despite the numerous challenges they pointed out. Schools remain the cornerstone of advancing society, because the future is being created and prepared in them.”
He said the educators are playing an important role in producing future leaders, educators, doctors, nurses and other professionals needed by the country.
