Frustrated parents who protested about structural integrity and exposed wiring concerns at Aldinville Primary in Groutville have secured a safer school for their children.

Following a march on the iLembe district education offices on July 28, the school governing body confirmed that the education department has taken action.

“The department came to address the school and we outlined things that needed immediate intervention, including prefabs that were not in a good state,” said the mother of a Grade 6 pupil.

She said some of the prefabs were leaking and had faulty electrical connections, reportedly electrocuting a teacher on one occasion.

The first priority, however, was a double-storey building previously used for classrooms and a staff room, which had been badly damaged during a storm in June. Parents feared it could collapse and damage the nearby administration block and other classrooms. It has since been demolished.

“Prefabs are also getting fixed and they have promised that construction will begin soon,” the parent added.

The Courier previously reported on the dire need for repairs and upgrades at schools across KwaDukuza.

Shakaskraal SA Primary, which was reportedly experiencing a leadership crisis and dealing with deteriorating infrastructure in June, has since seen some improvement. KwaDukuza Business Forum’s Philani Pityo said new leadership has been appointed and that broken doors and windows have been replaced.

Frustrations are ongoing at Thembeni Primary School, however, where parents staged protests in February to demand urgent repairs and new facilities. At the time, school governing body chairperson Thobani Mbambo said he had been told that land was being surveyed for a new school, but that he has since heard nothing from the department.

The KZN education department had not responded at the time of publication.

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