WATCH: “No toilets, no school” for Tholimfundo Primary School learners

Tholimfundo Primary School need proper toilets

October 13, 2017

Happy Shikundu 1 minute read

Tholimfundo Primary School learners' protest action.

Learning at Tholimfundo Primary School was postponed after concerned parents, the Schools Governing Body and learners began to protest outside the schoolyard over poor infrastructure [toilets].

Learners from Grade 4-7 have been using mobile toilets for a long time.

Protesters say this was the only way to send a message to the Department of Education after the many attempts to have the mobile toilets removed.

SGB deputy chairperson, Phemelo Keupilwe, highlighted that the school was provided with “improper toilets” in January this year.

“To our surprise, those very toilets were taken away, this left school learners without any toilets.

“We’ve approached DOE regarding this matter, but they did not help us. Instead, prior to the reopening of the schools this week, the mobile toilets were also removed.

“The only toilets we have are in a very bad condition. Enough is enough with these mobile toilets. We fear for our children’s safety.

“We tired of the “no budget” excuses, we cannot be complaining about the same thing over and over again [13 years].

“We want to be sure that when our kids are at school, they’re looked after properly. It’s toilets or no school,” indicates SGB treasury Rejoice Ramfate.

School principal Tumelo Mangakane admitted that the situation is causing problems at school and should be addressed urgently.

WATCH 1: