Diepsloot Secondary reopens thanks to repairs by Department of Education

DIEPSLOOT– Khuphu said the MEC of Education in the province, Panyaza Lesufi visited the school in February and promised to ensure that all learners were back in their class rooms by March.

April 12, 2021

Nduduzo Nxumalo 1 minute read

Diepsloot Secondary 3 reopens for 2021 academic year after delays due to vandalism to the school infrastructure. Photo: File

The chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB) at Diepsloot Secondary School 3, Matome Khupu, has praised the Department of Education in the province for a swift response to resolve infrastructure challenges at the school.

This was after the school, which achieved a 100 per cent matric pass rate in 2020, was forced to remain closed for weeks because of burglaries, theft and infrastructure vandalism during holidays earlier this year. The Fourways Review published an article titled, Local school remain closed [Week ending 19 March] which highlighted these challenges.

Khuphu said the MEC of Education in the province, Panyaza Lesufi, visited the school in February and promised to ensure that all learners were back in their classrooms by March. “All our learners are back in classes as promised by the department of education in the province.

The electricity and water were restored a day after the MEC’s visit. Toilets are now working and the department also brought us more than 500 chairs and tables for learners. We are extremely happy with the response from the department.” Khupu added that the school management and the SGB have asked parents to allow Grade 12 learners to attend classes on Saturdays and Sundays to recover time that was lost due to delays in reopening.

“The delays have indeed affected our 2021 academic year. We would like to thank our teachers who have been helping us prepare for the reopening since day one. “They have also agreed to go extra miles to teach our children on weekends in order to recover time lost. We will work together with the school management to improve security systems in the school to prevent burglaries and theft in the school.”

Spokesperson for the Department of Education Steve Mabona confirmed that the department has managed to repair and restore water infrastructure and delivered new furniture at the school. Mabona concluded, “The department can confirm that the furniture has been adequately delivered at the school. Contractors have been on-site to repair plumbing and electrical faults. The process to fix windows and doors is currently at an advanced stage.”

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