Oversight visit concludes Birch Acres Primary is not ready for 2025
The oversight visit of Birch Acres Primary School was conducted after an executive council member stated the school would be ready for the 2025 academic year.
Members of the DA and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Refiloe Nt’sekhe and Mike Waters, recently conducted an oversight visit to the unfinished Birch Acres Primary School.
This visit follows remarks by Gauteng MEC for Education, Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, Matome Chiloane in the provincial legislature, who assured the school would be ready for the 2025 academic year.
Responding to questions during a legislative session, Chiloane explained the delays in the construction. He attributed it to issues with the original contractor.
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“The project is incomplete because of the underperformance of the contractor, which forced the department to terminate the contract.
“The contractor faced cash flow challenges, making it difficult to purchase materials and settle debts,” Chiloane said.
The original contractor received a payment of R31 351 172.50 but needs an additional R27 953 770.99 to complete the project.
A new contractor has been appointed, and the department remains optimistic that the school will open on time.
However, during the oversight visit, it was evident the school was far from completion.
Key observations included many windows were still missing, and the ablution facilities had yet to be completed.
Damaged ceilings and the absence of tiling, electrical wiring, and plumbing were just a few of the concerns raised.
Waters criticised the MEC’s claims, stating, “Chiloane has provided misleading information. He must now clarify what will happen to the school.”
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Further compounding the situation, Nt’sekhe highlighted the disappearance of a server from the premises.
She referenced a video from last year’s visit, showing the server in its cage, which now shows signs of forced entry.
The oversight visit also reignited debates about the Gauteng Department of Education’s decision to propose a satellite school in Birchleigh, less than 5km from the unfinished Birch Acres Primary School.
In the December 7, 2023 edition of Kempton Express, Birchleigh residents opposed the satellite school plan.
They questioned why resources would be allocated to a new project while the incomplete Birch Acres school remains neglected.
Issues surrounding the satellite school, including sanitation, the school governing body (SGB), and the absence of a tuck shop, further fueled calls for a permanent brick-and-mortar school to accommodate more learners.
Kempton Express sent inquiries to the Gauteng Department of Education on November 15, requesting a response by November 22.
At the time of going to print, we received no comment.
