Toilets dispute leads to school closure
The lack of a proper head at East Bank High School and the use of single toilets by both boys and girls at the school have landed it in a dysfunctional state.
Chaos broke out at East Bank High School, following a decision of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) to close the school due to toilet disputes.
It is said the school has been without toilets for some time and learners were forced to use one toilet for both boys and girls. Matters came to head when Cosas leaders demanded that officials from the Gauteng Department of Education come over to the school to address the learners on the issue.
When the officials were a no-show on May 17, Cosas then took a decision to close the school in order to send the message home to the officials.
According to Alex Peace Ambassador Thabo Mopasi, besides the toilet issue, the school has been without a head for almost a year now since the retirement of then principal Ike Thloloe. The school is currently run by a deputy principal.
Mopasi said the school has a school governing body that was elected in April last year but no induction has been done so as to acquaint the SGB with its roles and functions to enable it to perform its duties.
Spokesperson for Gauteng Department Education Steve Mabona acknowledged that there are constant disruptions at East Bank High but refuted allegations that learners use one toilet. There are four toilets for the learners to use,” he said.
On the appointment of a permananent principal for the school, Mabona said the process to appoint a principal has been prioritised. “We must emphasise that nothing justifies the disruption of schooling, more so during a time when every day counts as we have already lost a number of critical school days due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“We call upon parents and all stakeholders to play a role in discouraging learners against disrupting schooling, for the future of their children as lost contact time is not easily recovered. We will continue monitoring the situation accordingly,” Mabona added.
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