Woodmead and Khyber Rock want answers
WOODMEAD - The Woodmead and Khyber Rock Residents' Association held a consultative community meeting at the Country Club Johannesburg with the Department of Education to discuss the construction of a prefabricated school at the Khyber Rock Park on 5 November.
Member of the Woodmead and Khyber Rock Residents’ Association Wendy Vorster-Robertson said the meeting was set up with the local community and the Gauteng Department of Education to talk about a prefabricated primary which started construction on 29 October. She added that the residents found out about the construction without prior notice and it will host 1 000 children for next year’s school year without any sports facilities.
The park where the construction started is approximately two kilometres with an estimated market value of R3.7 million. The park was zoned as an educational area in 1966 with the establishment of the Woodmead Township.
Regional Director of the Department of Education Raymond Martin addressed a hostile crowd waiting for an explanation behind the construction. He said the construction of the school was proposed as a way to deal with the great deal of young children who have not been placed into a primary school for next year. He said 19 204 children have not been placed.
Martin added that schools such as Wendywood, Montrose, Rivonia and Bryanston Primary School have not been able to cope with the large numbers of children.
A great deal of residents expressed concern as to why they were not informed about the construction, and whether there is a big demand in the direct community for a school.
Ward Councillor of Ward 106 Stephen Moore said, “As the Ward 106 councillor, I am aware of the desperate need for an educational facility in this area… I’d love to see a school here, but I am not confident that the department has taken an adequate account of the type area and facilities that will attract children from this, and neighbouring, areas.”
He added that the fact that the area cannot hold any sports facilities will create a great problem as children will still want to go to other schools in the area for sporting activities.
Councillor Moore concluded saying, “My hope from this is that if this school does not go forward, that the plan is modified and a proper school will be constructed.”
