IVORY PARK PUPILS PROTEST OVER SHORTAGE OF CLASSES

Disgruntled pupils at Eqinisweni Secondary School in Ivory Park have voiced their frustration at the school’s conditions which they say are affecting their studies and pose a risk to their lives.

During a protest on Wednesday, the pupils, who blocked the school’s entrance, complained about shortage of classes as a result of a block of 40 classrooms which collapsed early this year.
School Governing Body member Minkie Dlova, 52, said the department had failed the parents.

“It has been six months since a promise was made to fix the school but nothing has happened. There has been no communication and they only brought in a few temporary classrooms. Most of the classrooms have now been reserved for matric exams. What about the grade 8 pupils? Does this mean they don’t deserve to be at school? The situation is very depressing,” she said.

Another parent, Sibongile Gumede, 50, said every time her child leaves home for school she always says a little prayer. “I am worried about their safety. It was by God’s grace that when the first block collapsed there were no children around. Maybe the department will only act when there are injuries,” she said.

The teachers said the situation was not only affecting pupils but they were also affected.
“We are not able to do our duties as we are expected because we only get to see some of the classes after two weeks and these are the learners who will write the same exam. We change classes more than five times a day, which is stressing,” said one of the teachers who asked to remain anonymous.

Gauteng education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department is aware of the structural challenges at the school and has appointed a team of structural engineers to conduct a condition assessment to provide recommendations to resolve them.
“The department provided 20 temporary mobile units to relieve the pressure in all affected classrooms while waiting for the refurbishment process.
“It is also important to note that, the department condemns in the strongest terms the disruption of schools by anyone and we will monitor the situation at the school,” he said.

by Yoliswa Sobuwa for Sowetan

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