LAKESIDE – The gesture comes as two classes at the school had almost hundred learners.
According to the school, one class had about 95 pupils and the other 75.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Vuyisile Gubuza, Circuit Manager at Department of Education, Sedibeng West District, said despite pupils being over crowded the school had 80 matric pass rates for 2022.
“The department is happy that the school has more extra classes to cater for all pupils as at times some pupils were not coming to school because of the overcrowding of classes,” he said.
Gubuza said “currently the recommended learner to teacher ratios stands at 30,1, but that is certainly not the reality in most schools”.
African National Congress (ANC)Councillor at ward 41, also a Sedibeng District Municipality MMC for Finance Tumi Mochawe said the issue of inequality in South Africa is seen through the country’s education system.
“Overcrowded classrooms, poor school infrastructure in my ward is something I am working on. I have roped in the department of education together with the construction company that has built the extra classes at as its recommended to have built good quality classes,” he said.
Mochawe added that it is very urgent that Basic Education deals with overcrowding of classes with permanent structures not with asbestos.
Ba ahi Bathabile Construction Company Director Khosa Komane told the paper he built good quality classes rooms to benefit generations.
“The classes will help a black child and also the next generation is going to find the buildings still standing. I am happy that the department entrusted my company to do the job,” he said.
Komane said during the construction of the school, many parents and local residents around the school were the ones working to build the four extra classes.