Critical shortage of desks in Upper South Coast schools

A desire for ubuntu in action exists at local Upper South Coast schools, some of which are critically short of desks and chairs. The Sun is campaigning for local businesses, service clubs and individuals to come on board to help meet the need, so that education can take place at places of learning.

Matthew Dube, who has been a member of two Amanzimtoti school governing bodies and chairman of one, has seen children sit on classroom floors and up to four sharing one desk. “This urgent need for help has mainly arisen due to the significant increase in school attendance which, while being a good thing, has put our schools under pressure,” he said.

The schools cannot be named, as the education department does not empower principals to comment on matters related to resource allocation. One local high school is short of 35 desks and chairs, after its numbers rose from 1,468 last year to 1,532 this year. Some classrooms are bulging at the seams, with up to 65 pupils per class. Another local school is short of 50 desks and chairs as it too boasts 70 more pupils than last year.

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“With all the schools combined in the greater Amanzimtoti area, we are short of about 300 desks and chairs,” said Matthew. “It is of great concern to us that our children’s right to a quality education is being infringed and as community leaders, we need to protect the rights of our children. Another school has exceeded its number by close to 100 children this year. We have to accommodate them as there are simply not enough schools.

It is a stark reality that 11 schools require desks and chairs urgently. The community can assist us in solving this problem. We appeal to the private sector to also come on board. We don’t want cash donations – we need desks and chairs. If one individual can buy a desk or chair, I will arrange transport and we can solve this problem quickly. If local businesses can donate more, that would be even better.

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We have some desk and chair frames we have rescued, so if local hardware stores can donate the wood cut to size, we can assemble the desks and chairs ourselves. We appeal to whomever can help – even if it is just one desk or chair.” The cost of a desk is R280 and a chair R74, excluding VAT. To donate, or to receive information on where to purchase the correct desks and chairs, or to collect, call Matthew on 084-685-2190.

The Sun will track the progress of this drive in a barometer every week, in the hope that the communities and businesses of the Upper South Coast rally behind this essential cause. Each business or individual who contributes towards the cause will be acknowledged in the Sun.