The growing population in the ilembe district has exposed a critical shortage of urban schools and the urgent need for more educational infrastructure.

The Courier reported last week that Grade 8 pupils at Dr Ricardo Mthembu High School in Groutville were taking lessons in an open field due to a lack of facilities.

Established in 2023 as an overflow school for Groutville High and Nonhlevu Secondary, Dr. Ricardo Mthembu High School was meant to alleviate overcrowding. However, with 781 enrolled pupils and parents still seeking late registrations, it has also reached capacity. Groutville High and Nonhlevu Secondary are also full, with more than 3 000 and 2 500 pupils respectively.

In response to the immediate need, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education promised to deliver nine mobile classrooms to Dr. Ricardo Mthembu High School by the end of March. Three additional mobile units will also be allocated as staff rooms and offices.

KZN Education Department spokesperson Lungi Mtshali confirmed that they had also found land on which to build facilities for Dr. Ricardo Mthembu High School but he could not yet confirm when construction would begin.

District director Dr Musa Madondo acknowledged that the district urgently needs at least 10 new schools to accommodate the growing population moving into the coastal areas.

Currently, Umhlali Prep, RA Padayachee, and Sizani Combined School do not have a public high school to send their graduates. Children from Ballito, Shaka’s Head, and Fox Hill schools often travel to Shakaskraal, Tongaat, Stanger or Durban if they cannot afford private high schools in Ballito and Salt Rock.

Dr Madondo said a high school in Etete was also needed. Although land had been identified for this purpose, engineers deemed it unsuitable for construction.

“We also face the challenge of having state-of-the-art schools in rural areas like Maphumulo and Ndwedwe with very few pupils.”

To address current needs, the department is converting some primary schools into combined schools to reduce long travel distances. For example, Tinley Manor Primary now accommodates pupils up to grade nine.

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