Educators at Resolofetse Secondary School have to hold their meetings in the library since their staff room and office block were ravaged by fire last September.
According to one of the educators who wanted to remain anonymous, the fire was apparently caused by an electrical fault. It also destroyed a photocopying machine, cupboards, books and other appliances. A year later, nothing has been done to alleviate the problem. He would like the staff room to be built very soon.
‘We work in a very restricted space that is not conducive to us doing our work,’ the educator continued.
Johan Zerwick, a DA councillor in the J.B. Marks council says his party recently conducted an inspection to assess the conditions that learners and teachers face on a daily basis as a result of the blaze.
‘We will write to the MEC for education, Sello Lehari and ask him to make provision for Resolofetse Secondary School immediately. The school is still in ashes after a fire that took place more than a year ago.
‘The DA found that the school’s office block and staff room are still not in use after they were damaged. The North West departments of education and public works are dragging their feet,’ he said. Zerwick says it is unbelievable that a school that was once one of the best schools within the municipality, is in ashes with no prospect of getting fixed.
‘It is also extremely disheartening that learners, particularly the matriculants who are currently writing their exams have to do so in an environment that is less than ideal.
‘The education department has failed to speed up the process of fixing the school’s infrastructure, robbing learners of a quality education in a suitable environment. This is a violation of their basic human rights as enshrined in South Africa’s Constitution. It stipulates that children have a right to receive a quality education.
‘The DA will ask the MEC to ensure that the school is fixed and will also ask the DA spokesperson for education, Dr Tutu Faleni, to engage with Premier Job Mokgoro and ask him to intervene and fast-track the process,’ he said.
Mobile admin block to be delivered to the school before the end of October
Bayanda Zenzile, the media liaison officer of the NW Department of Education and Sport Development says the department is aware of the situation and is working on solutions. ‘While waiting for the funds to be made available for the reconstruction, a mobile admin block will be delivered to the school before the end of October. Infrastructure is one of our main priorities and we strive to create an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. The department is committed to upholding the dignity of its teachers and learners,’ she said.
