School infrastructure crisis in Atteridgeville – DA
“The school infrastructure budget has been slashed by almost R500 million.”
The DA has called on Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi to upgrade school infrastructure.
DA Gauteng education spokesperson Khume Ramulifho said during a visit to schools in Atteridgeville on Wednesday that school infrastructure across the province was poor and safety was a serious problem.
“We visited Phuthaditshaba Primary School and Phelindaba Secondary School and we discovered that these schools’ infrastructure is dilapidated,” said DA spokesperson, Charity Moyo who had accompanied Ramulifho.
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She said Phuthaditshaba had 36 classrooms which included nine mobile ones that were in a terrible state.
“The school is in desperate need of nine brick and mortar classrooms,” she said.
“Windows are broken and floor tiles are peeling off and are riddled with potholes.”
Moyo said the schools around Atteridgeville had been burgled numerous times and valuables stolen.
“Two weeks ago, Phuthaditshaba was broken into and most of its administration-related equipment was stolen,” she said.
A case was opened at the Atteridgeville police station.
Moyo said Phelindaba had been burgled three times this year and four smart boards, laptops, calculators and computers were stolen.
She said the school was still waiting for the department to replace the four stolen boards.
“The DA is appealing to residents to take ownership of their schools and declare war against criminals who are targeting our schools,” Moyo said.
“There is no maths and science teacher at these schools and despite the department being aware of this, there are no plans yet to fill these posts.”
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She also said bullying and violence among learners was a challenge and teachers claimed they felt unsafe at school.
“Classroom ceilings are broken, windows are broken and the electrical wires are exposed, posing a danger to both learners and teachers,” Moyo said.
“The computer lab, science lab and library are not used due to a lack of equipment and resources.”
She said the problem was exacerbated by the funding cuts.
“The school infrastructure budget has been slashed by almost R500 million,” she said.
Moyo said the DA would hold Lesufi accountable to ensure that there was proper maintenance of infrastructure in these schools.
“We will be tabling questions in the legislature to determine what measures are in place to ensure high safety standards in schools across Atteridgeville,” she said.
“Gauteng schools infrastructure is in a crisis; there is a need for total change and the DA is the only political party that can bring about that change.”
The department could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
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