Children at Hertzog Park Pre-Primary School are increasingly afraid to attend classes as anti-social behaviour around Barry Hertzog Park Shopping Centre continues to escalate.

Teachers say that illegal dumping, public drinking, loud music, spinning cars and even public urination have become daily challenges since the area around the school began deteriorating.

“There is a total disregard for anybody,” one teacher said, describing the noise, litter and stench from the overflowing skip nearby.

Established in 1979, the school has weathered many changes in the community, but staff now say conditions are the worst they have ever been.

Teachers have had to adapt, moving classes outside or to other rooms when the noise becomes unbearable.

Parents are increasingly hesitant to bring their children to school.

One teacher recalled how a car’s backfiring sent pupils running in panic, mistaking it for gunfire.

In another incident, a car crashed through the school wall into a classroom — fortunately empty at the time.

The school is working with the Barry and Ncandu Centre’s Project Plan Committee to find long-term solutions.

Plans include fencing off the shopping centre and posting a security guard at the gate to enforce alcohol regulations and improve safety for nearby residents, businesses and pupils.

Responding to the outcry, Ward 5 Cllr Muzi Stanley Ndlovu, said he had taken up the issue of by-law enforcement with the municipality.

He said the refuse skip is paid for by the shop owners in the centre and urged the public to report illegal dumping to the authorities.

“I will ensure ‘no dumping’ signs are put up because people now argue that they can dump their rubbish because there are no signs saying otherwise.”

“I spoke to the municipality about enforcing bylaws regarding public drinking. The shop owners agreed that they can contribute toward erecting the fence,” Ward 5 Cllr Muzi Stanley Ndlovu, commented.

According to him, the skip is paid for by the shop owners and urges the public to report the illegal dumping to the necessary authorities.

“I want to put up a ‘no illegal dumping’ sign, because people argue they can dump their rubbish there because there is no sign saying otherwise,” Cllr Ndlovu added.

Despite the daily challenges, the teachers remain deeply committed to their work, describing the school as the heart of the community.

“The children are our lives. We do everything we can to keep them safe and to keep the school going,” the teachers said.

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