Shocking state of Ulundi school’s toilets
The provincial Department of Education spokesperson promised to pay urgent attention to the situation
ULUNDI Ward 4 Councillor Niclas ‘Manyomfana’ Masondo, has requested the Department of Education to intervene and provide Ceza Primary School with proper ablution facilities.
The school is situated in the Echini area with an enrollment figure of 800 pupils.
ALSO READ: Major water infrastructure projects launched in Nkandla
Masondo said parents are concerned that their children might be infected by serious illnesses by using contaminated toilets.
‘When I visited the school, I discovered that the school has no proper toilet facilities. The existing toilets are in a bad condition and not usable.
‘The condition of some classrooms are also shocking and can collapse at anytime.
‘Parents have done everything in their power to convince the department to renovate the school and provide proper toilet facilities, but to no avail.
School Governing Board Chairperson, Jabulani Phakathi, said they have engaged with the Zululand district’s education office on numerous occasions, but are not receiving any attention from officials.
‘No one is willing to assist our school. We have submitted several requests to the district office and all our attempts are in vain.
ALSO READ: Parents take a stand against poor facilities at a Mtubatuba school
‘We decided to prioritise education by allowing our Grade 7 pupils to return to school, even though we knew that we were putting their lives in danger.
‘Some parents suggested we build toilets by ourselves, but we were told that it is against the Schools Act,’ Phakathi said.
Department of Education spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, promised that the department would liaise with the district department as a matter of urgency to assist the school.
‘The school was not supposed to be reopened exactly because it doesn’t have proper toilets. We regard this as non-negotiable. Schools without water and proper toilets are not supposed to reopen.’
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
