Learners from Dulcie September Primary School are finally back in school after a prolonged shutdown that began on January 19, when parents took decisive action to close the facility due to serious safety concerns.

The community’s frustration had reached critical levels, prompting an overdue response from the Gauteng department of education (GDE).

The list of issues at the school is alarming, from container classrooms with broken windows and unhygienic toilets devoid of privacy, to ceilings falling apart and overgrown grass, among other things.

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As the learners returned to school, on February 2, a contractor, along with their team, have finally commenced essential repairs, focusing on restoring the damaged windows and doors throughout the school.

GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that the department is aware of the challenges at the school.

“Although doors and windows of mobile classes were repaired around June 2025, they were later vandalised by learners. Officials visited that school and committed to fix them, and also fast-track a process to deliver mobile toilets in due course.

“It must be noted that the said school is approved for a brick-and-mortar structure. Accordingly, a construction company has already been introduced to the school community. Parents agreed that teaching and learning will proceed accordingly.”

However, despite learners returning to class, community leaders and parents argue that conditions at the school remain far from acceptable. Rabie Ridge community leader George Henry described the current site as unfit for both learners and staff.

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“Since our children were moved to the current site, the conditions have deteriorated beyond breaking point.

We were promised an upgrade, yet we are left with unusable toilets.

The sanitation facilities are in a shocking, unhygienic state. Our children are suffering, and their dignity is being stripped away daily.”

He also questioned whether the school had undergone proper readiness inspections ahead of the 2026 academic year.

“There are serious safety hazards. The school was clearly never checked for school readiness before the term began. After only two days of operation, activities came to a standstill. Parents are furious, and staff appear reluctant to work under these hazardous conditions.”

Parents insist that promises of a permanent upgrade must translate into immediate action.

“We were promised a brick-and-mortar school. We were promised safety. Instead, our children were dumped here, and the department went silent.

We will not stand by while our children’s education and health are compromised by systemic neglect.”

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