‘Dulcie September Primary School needs government’s urgent attention’ – Education activist
Hendrick Makaneta believes the government needs to prioritise township schools in reality and not on paper only.
Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on the government to prioritise the infrastructure of public schools.
He made this call on February 21 after being contacted by the publication in the wake of a disturbing video of the state of Dulcie September Primary School in Rabie Ridge. The video shows children sitting in a corner of a container classroom to avoid getting wet by rain that is pouring in through a broken window.
Makaneta said, “Such an [environment] can negatively affect the process of teaching and learning. The government must take drastic action to fix such an environment to ensure inclusive growth of basic education. The government needs to ensure that their basic education priorities do not only reflect on paper only but also in reality where township schools are improved.”
Also read: WATCH: Learners at Dulcie September Primary sit in a corner of a classroom to avoid getting wet
“However, the government will need assistance from other stakeholders, such as the private sector and the community at large.”
He added it was unfortunate that parents were forced to enrol their children at a school such as this because they couldn’t afford private schools.
According to some parents, this has been a long-standing issue that they have attempted to report to the Gauteng Department of Education. Parent Jessica O’Brien said it was sad that the young learners had to sit in classrooms in such a bad state. “It is very difficult. It’s just sad that as a parent, I have to send my child to school where her class doesn’t have windows. It breaks my heart. I have so much fear that she falls sick, and I have no money for doctors or medication,” added O’Brien.
Another parent Carmen Dikgasu said, “My biggest fear now is my child getting sick from the cold weather because of the classroom conditions. It’s just sad and disgusting that management is failing us and our learners.”
Midrand Reporter contacted the Department of Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga for comment, who referred the publication to the Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona.
Mabona said, “We are aware of the situation at the said school. The contractor was appointed to fix windows and ablution facilities accordingly. For the long term, we are finalising a process to build a brick-and-mortar school.”
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Related article: Education department addresses broken toilets and windows at Dulcie September Primary School
