Harpo barely getting by
The school, which was originally built by American billionaire, Oprah Winfrey, as part of her many outreach programs, was left to the care of the Department of Education, after Oprah pulled out due to certain disagreements.
OPRAH founded school Harpo Primary is in a financial crisis.
The school, which was originally built by American billionaire, Oprah Winfrey, as part of her many outreach programs, was left to the care of the Department of Education, after Oprah pulled out due to certain disagreements.
In 2015, the department is said to have been forced to open Harpo’s gates to the public, following strikes from the Lakeside community members, who demanded that the school be opened as the other primary school in the area was incredibly full, and most of their children had been forced to either go to town or to Bhekuzulu for their primary education.
Despite having not budgeted for the school to be running that year, Harpo was opened, with classes from grades 1 to 4 operating.
Educators at the school had to make do with the resources they had to get by.
“All I can say is that we are currently operating the school on faith,” said Mrs Malibongwe Masombuka, the school’s principal, as she put down a bucket and bottle of disinfectant after her daily cleaning routine.
“I don’t have a clerk, a cleaner or a security guard, we just try, by all means, to work around these obstacles. I have currently made a deal with one of the vendors outside the school. She cleans for us in return for using the premises,” explained Mrs Masombuka.
“Things went so-so last year and we managed to get through the year. Community demand led to a growth in our enrollment and this year we had to up the classes to grade 6,” Mrs Masombuka went on.
This growth has taken a major toll on things at the school, as it had not been in the department’s budget to start with.
Staff members say that they have had to stretch out their resources as far as possible in an attempt to accommodate all the children.
“When I saw that we were in over our heads I started writing out to local businesses seeking assistance. We are not asking the people to take up the department’s burden, we are just asking that they help us where they can,” said Mrs Masombuka.
Mrs Masombuka said that their biggest problem was the lack of furniture. This situation has gotten so bad that some of the pupils have to write on their laps, as they do not have desks.
Community members who might be able to help can reach Mrs Masombuko on 072 018 2439.
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