The DA’s exerted pressure has successfully forced the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to finally prioritise the replacement of asbestos infrastructure to the brick-and-mortar structure at Randfontein Secondary School (RSS).
Also read: School still exposed to deadly disease
The Herald reported in mid-November how learners of Randfontein Secondary School (RSS) were still exposed to the deadly asbestos-related disease. Issues around the exposure to asbestos and the school’s infrastructure are nothing new and date back as far as 2016 where the Herald covered a range of articles in this regard.
The DA’s Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education Khume Ramulifho on Tuesday, December 13 announced that they are pleased the department has initiated a rehabilitation process at a budget of R112 175 165 for RSS as a result of the DA’s oversight inspection at the school a month ago.
Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) media and issues specialist Buchule Putini added this information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, in a written reply to the DA’s questions.
“According to MEC Chiloane, the rehabilitation project is currently at a concept stage. However, in the meantime, a contractor was appointed to eradicate the asbestos infrastructure and the work done is at 13% progress.
The MEC also confirmed that the contractor will among other things fix the broken toilets, replace broken ceilings in the classrooms, replace the staircase and replace the asbestos infrastructure with a brick-and-mortar structure.
“Six years ago, shoddy renovations were done at the school, instead of replacing this school with a brick-and-mortar structure, the department contracted a service provider to construct a wall to cover the asbestos material. This wasteful exercise cost taxpayers R300 302,45 while the problem was not fixed. The wall has since cracked, and the bricks are starting to fall off which poses a danger for both learners and teachers.”
Also read: Asbestos killing teachers and pupils?
Ramulifho added that RSS is one of the 22 asbestos schools where learners and teachers have for years been exposed to an unsafe and unhealthy environment.
“The DA will monitor the process of eradication of the asbestos infrastructure at RSS to ensure that there is no shoddy workmanship. We will also continue conducting several oversight inspections at the school to ascertain the progress and ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated timeframe and within budget.”
Ramulifho further stated that they will also continue to fight to ensure that all asbestos schools across the province are replaced with a brick-and-mortar structures.
