As many as 77 learners crammed into Sosh classroom
Issues include dilapidated mobile classrooms and non-functioning toilets which force boys to use a nearby open field.
As many as 70 learners were crammed into a single classroom, a recent oversight visit to three Soshanguve schools found.
“No learner must be taught in such terrible conditions,” said DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho.
“The conditions of schools in the area are unacceptable and more must be done to provide support for learners.”
The oversight team visited Thorntree primary school, MJ Mgidi secondary school and Botse Botse secondary school in Soshanguve.
Thorntee was the school found to have 77 learners in one classroom, though the other schools also suffered from overcrowding and other related issues.
These issues included the use of old and dilapidated mobile classrooms, non-functioning toilets which force boys to use a nearby open field and a general lack of teaching resources and supplies.
“Furthermore, safety is also a massive challenge in the area, and there is a need for tighter security measures to be put in place to protect and safeguard the school infrastructure from being vandalised and stolen,” Ramulifho continued.
The Shadow MEC said that the provincial education department needed to provide more mobile classrooms to tackle the overcrowding.
It should also seek a permanent solution to the unhygienic and non-functioning ablution facilities at both Thorntree Primary school and Botse Botse secondary school.
“This learning environment is not acceptable as it deprives learners of access to quality education. We will continue to fight to ensure conducive learning and teaching environment at all our schools across the province,” Ramulifho concluded.
The Gauteng education department had yet to respond to our request for comment.
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