Nkobongo school in shambles

Barely a year after it opened, over 1000 Nkobongo schoolchildren face the depressing prospect every day of going to a school where there are no books and the grounds are awash with sewage, and pools of mosquito-infested, stagnant water.

The drains at Dinuphozo Primary School have been blocked since flooding last December, but the only response from the public works department has been to send an official around to take photographs.

Governing body chairperson Zipho Masinga said the sewage system in the school is in a mess.

“Teachers were forced to close one of the girl’s toilets because when they flush the toilet, the sewage pops up in the boys’ toilet.

“The boys cannot flush the toilet at all, so the sewage overflows onto the floor,” said Masinga.

She said the education department was told about the problem but has done nothing.

“The only response we got was a visit from the department of works who came and took photos.”

Education department spokesperson Muzi Mahlabi admitted that they were aware of the problem but blamed public works for not acting.

“We reported the problem to public works and the matter has not been solved because they are delaying to fix it,” said Mahlabi.

Another issue is the school library where shelves are almost empty.

The few books they have are outdated.

They are appealing to the community to donate school and reading books.

The school was opened in August last year with 26 classrooms and more than 1000 pupils.

If you are interested in donating books to Dinuphozo Primary School, contact The Courier at 032 946 0276 or Zinhle Khanyile at 074 462 5200.

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