Learners might be ‘school-less’ before first term ends

Concerned parents of the learners who attend Ikusasa Elihle High School are worried about the future and education of their children.

The school, previously known as Grootspruit Combined School, is situated at Luneburg in Paulpietersburg. Luneburg is a farming community that falls under eDumbe Local Municipality. The parents’ concern comes after being told that the learners and the entire school management will be evicted from the premises on Friday (March 24).

Mbongeni Lushaba, who is the rightful owner of the farm / plot where the school is built, said he bought the land in 2010 from the former owners and since then, there has never been agreement on how they were going to work together with the Department of Education. He went on to explain that he was contacted by the department and given a contract to sign, but he ended up not signing it. “It was never my wish for the school to be removed, because now it is like I am torturing the community, but if the department cannot meet me halfway, there is nothing I can do. I have tried several times to communicate with officials at the department, but they never respond to me. Yes, I did make a proposal to them, but since 2010, I have never received any information regarding my payment as the owner of the plot.”

When the Department of Education was contacted, an official said they are not in a position to comment because a court appeal is in progress.

Thulani Masondo, one of the concerned parents, commented that, “What frustrates us the most is that the court order was issued last year between November and December, but we only found out about it a few weeks ago. Community members were confused when they saw portable classrooms in the area and wondered what they were for, only to find out that the department is moving our children to another place, where transportation will be difficult due to the state of the roads. In addition, there are no taps or toilets, so we do not think it is a child-friendly environment.’’

Another parent went on to say there is a charcoal firm next to the school and it has been there for some years now. “The department has told us that the school is in the wrong place because of the firm. In all these years, could they not see that the school is in the wrong place? The school has been here for over 60 years and was built by the community. Now they want to remove it just like that; we are really not happy about this. Some of the parents work at the firm and the owner clearly stated that if the firm is a problem, he will move it somewhere else because he wants to work with the parents and the school must stay.’’

On Saturday, the parents had a meeting at the school and a petition was signed by the parents. The petition clearly states that they want the school to remain where it is and the learners must continue to receive an education, as it is their right.

The parents will be meeting with Lushaba during the course of the week to find other ways the school can stay. Masondo told the Herald that the parents are planning to pay Lushaba all that is due to him, but Lushaba does not think this is a good idea, as he does not want to be seen as a guy who is profiting from community members. He wants the department to talk to him and find a way forward, without any eviction being necessary.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.