Members of the Legislature concluded their two-day school visits when they visited Ephangweni Primary School and Amahlubi High School in Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality on Wednesday (July 28). The delegation consisted of the Hon Nondumiso Cele, Hon Vikizitha Mlotshwa, uThukela District Speaker Cllr PG Strydom, Department of Education representatives, labour unions, School Governing Body (SGB) members and officials.

Outlining the purpose of the visits, the Hon Cele said it was to assess whether teaching and learning is taking place in a safe and conducive environment in public schools across the province. The visits are taking place amid the deadly third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced government to close schools much earlier for the winter break.

The first school was Ephangweni Primary School, where a walkabout was conducted by the members. According to the report presented by the Legislature, the school is lacking in infrastructure, in particular not having enough classrooms to accommodate all learners. The school has a container that was donated and is now used as a library. The road upgrades were not attended to and fencing still not done. Scholar transport was reported to the department and they were told that due to financial constraints, they are unable to provide this service right away. Water is available in the school in the form of a production borehole.

Principal Hadebe complained that ablution facilities are a challenge, as the toilets are not in a good condition. PPE was provided for staff and learners, but not for food handlers. The school requested more masks, just in case a learner is not wearing one. Teachers have been vaccinated, but not food handlers. No Covid-19 cases have been reported since the year started. The school only received a report that one learner tested positive during the school holidays and is currently in isolation.

The next stop was Amahlubi High School, where they have a production borehole, a food storage room and hygienic kitchen. Principal Dlamini mentioned that Covid-19 has had a negative impact in terms of teaching and learning. Reporting on the resolutions taken during the first visit, the department delivered PPE that was promised. No mobile classrooms were delivered though, citing certain challenges. Upgrading of road infrastructure was not done.

Enrolment is around 1211 learners, and most of them walk to school. The school did not rest on its laurels and went all out to receive extra classrooms, which Champagne Resort kindly donated. The current classrooms are very old and need to be renovated.

The school is forced to work on Saturdays to make up for lost time due to Covid-19. They need the district municipality to come back and connect taps on the pipeline that is running through the school yard. Ablution facilities are not in a good state. They have insufficient teachers, but they were assisted by having ‘educator assistance’. Most of the staff members have taken a vaccine jab. Three Grade 12 learners tested positive for Covid-19 before the June holidays, but there were no casualties.

The Speaker appreciated the efforts by the school in getting things in motion. She also encouraged the principal to continue asking for donations. “Part of the duties of the school is to fund-raise. So, for the school to receive water, it must enter into a service level agreement with our municipality. Cost containment measures affect all the departments, including ourselves. We also need to account for what we have done with public funds,” she said.

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Amahlubi operates with a full SGB complement. The principal humbly asked that all the resolutions taken be implemented. The members said it was discouraging to see that most of the resolutions taken during the February visit were not attended to.

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