Following the tragic deaths of two Grade R learners enrolled at Lekgolo Primary School after a wall that was reportedly hit by a truck collapsed on them at the institution last Wednesday, Polokwane Observer deemed it fit to look into the safety of school premises across the province. When approached, opposition parties in Limpopo came out guns blazing and accused the Department of Education of negligence for its alleged failure to maintain learning facilities.
Earlier the Police indicated that a case of inquest was opened and identified the deceased as 7-year-old Sello Fortunate Mohale and 5-year-old Rethabile Nakana. It was learnt that the incident occurred at around 11:15 in Ga-Mamaila village. Provincial Police Communications Head Motlafela Mojapelo stated that the deceased and other learners were reportedly standing next to the wall when the trailer of a truck delivering food as part of the school feeding scheme crashed into the wall.
A portion of the wall collapsed onto the children instantly killing Sello and Rethabile while seriously injuring three others. Mojapelo added that the circumstances surrounding the incident were being investigated and concluded by saying no arrest has been made as no charges have been laid at the stage. After the gruesome incident Premier Stan Mathabatha together with members of the executive council sent their heartfelt condolences to the affected families.
Democratic Alliance (DA)
DA Provincial Leader Jacques Smalle stressed that the school infrastructure backlog in Limpopo was at about R25 billion and this might take the department at least 25 to 30 years to deal with the crisis as the office spends R800 million on infrastructure development each financial years. He reiterated that the shocking incident at Lekgolo Primary School could have been avoided if the school management had adhered to safety measures by ensuring that all learners were in their respective classrooms as this occurred during school hours.
Congress of the People (Cope)
Party Provincial Secretary Erick Mohlapamaswi emphasised that they were not happy with the poor state of schools in Limpopo as they are not maintained.
According to him, this is because government always want to outsource skills in a form of tenders rather than hiring people on a full-time basis to maintain schools.
Mohlapamaswi reckoned that the norms and standards money given to schools was not enough to acquire maintenance services.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
EFF Provincial Leader Jossey Buthane said it was unfortunate that lives are lost in schools and further alleged that the wall that collapsed was a ticking time bomb which was activated by the truck. The vehicle was not speeding hence this simply shows that the wall was about to fall anytime, Buthane alleged.
“Principals and school governing bodies are aware of the poor state their institutions are in but still fail to report and push the department to fix them. We don’t expect school management to keep quiet about the poor teaching and learning environments educators and learners are exposed to. We can’t continue losing lives just because the school management is ignorant. Serious action must be taken against such people.”
Freedom Front Plus (FF+)
Party Provincial Leader Marcelle Maritz emphasised that they were concerned with the poor state of schools as she mentioned that the education committee in the Legislature would commence with oversight visits to rural schools starting from today (Thursday). Maritz was not fully aware of the quality of infrastructure in rural schools but pledged that she will reveal the finding after the visits.
African National Congress (ANC)
ANC Provincial Spokesperson Donald Selamolela stressed that some politicians affiliated to opposition parties often use such shocking incidents to score points, which is wrong.
According to him, the ANC-led government was busy rolling out massive school infrastructure projects for maintenance and constructing new ones where there is a need. He added that the ruling party was doing a lot with the little resources and funds. Selamolela confirmed that there was a schools infrastructure backlog in Limpopo but reiterated that regardless of the challenges the department was on track in terms of refurbishing schools.
Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
