More drama unfolds for Kembirch Secondary School
By February, the Kempton Express still had not received further information or answers to questions posed to the GDE.
By mid-March, learners at Kembirch Secondary School still did not have access to promised services.
The establishment of the satellite Kembirch Secondary School has been controversial since it was proposed last year.
In the December 7 edition of the Kempton Express, it was reported that concerned residents had called a meeting with officials from the Gauteng Department of Education with regards to the school.
Residents said they were not informed that the school would be established and they questioned whether the school would be a temporary or permanent fixture in the community.
Despite the concerns raised by residents, plans went ahead with establishing Kembirch Secondary School.
On January 17, while all other learners began their 2024 schooling year, those placed at Kembirch were sent home.
ALSO READ: Classes at Kembirch Secondary School commence
Learners and parents were told the school would only be operationally ready on January 22.
In the January 25 edition of the Kempton Express, it was reported that parents gathered at the unfinished school on January 17 in hopes they would receive answers from the GDE.
The GDE’s Ekurhuleni North chief director, Ephraim Tau, said lessons could not start until the school was complete.
Among the promises made were patrollers for additional security, working toilets and a tuck shop facility.
On January 22, when the Kempton Express visited the school, children were allocated to classes, but there were still no working ablution facilities or a tuck shop.
It was stated that school would finish at midday because of issues with the ablution facilities.
By February, the Kempton Express still had not received further information or answers to questions posed to the GDE.
However, the Kempton Express was able to confirm the placement of portable toilets at the school.
Last week, ward councillor Amanda Davison said the situation at the school had not changed.
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“The learners sometimes have to relieve themselves next to these portable toilets. This is disgraceful. How can anyone be exposed and forced into such a situation? It’s not just undignified, it is about human rights.
“We are halfway through March and the school still does not have proper services,” she said.
“In January, these poor Grade Eight learners walked into an unfinished school already behind on their education,” she said.
She added that a borehole was sunk last week.
“The water was used to fill the tower of JoJo tanks to flush the toilets at the school that had been gathering dust and were not utilised.”
She added that toilets to which the water will be fed have not been connected to the sewer system.
“So, where will the flushed waste go?”
Davison added that numerous hawkers had set up stalls next to the school because the promised tuck shop did not materialise.
“It is unclear what exactly is being sold to learners. Do we really want another disaster on our hands of a bunch of children in the hospital from ingesting laced sweets and biscuits?” she asked.
She added that transport was also an issue.
ALSO READ: Classes at Kembirch Secondary School commence
“The roads and stormwater infrastructure in Birchleigh is already collapsing. Learners are hanging around in the middle of the road and it is a major safety concern for not just the learners but for all road users.”
Davison requested several documents from the GDE including the land use application, site development plan, a CoE account and a borehole permit.
The Kempton Express sent an inquiry for comment to the GDE on March 15.
Comment was requested by midday on March 18.
At the time of going to print, no comment was received.
