POLOKWANE – Parents of learners from Good Hope Primary School fear for their children’s safety as there is no scholar patrol at the school during peak hours in the morning and afternoon.
The parents say it is only a matter of time before a child is hurt thanks to this shortcoming.
“The situation is chaotic and dangerous. In the morning Ben Harris, the main road in Westenburg, is very busy. There are two pedestrian crossings at the school, one in Ben Harris Street and another in Buys Street, but motorists do not stop for the learners. In the afternoon when school comes out the learners walk in the road and cross the street without taking consideration of oncoming traffic. In the past there used to be a traffic official in the morning and afternoon controlling traffic and also ensuring learners cross the road at the pedestrian crossing, but this stopped and we don’t know why,” a concerned mother said.
Another parent said if it was too costly for the traffic department to despatch a traffic official to the school during peak hours, then they should train teachers or volunteer parents to do the duty.
Cindy Buys, principal at the school, confirmed that this was indeed a problem for the school.
“In the past the traffic department dispatched a traffic official to control the traffic in the morning and afternoon, but this stopped around the end April or beginning of May. The traffic department promised to train our teachers so that we can do the duties ourselves, but to date we haven’t received any feedback. It is not safe for our learners and we have teachers standing outside in the morning and afternoon to assist where possible,” Buys said.
“Another problem contributing to this is the people selling items outside the school yard. The children leave school’s premises, buy from these people and run across the road.
“We asked the ward councillor for assistance in having these people move to another point, but no help was received.”
By the time of going to print, municipal spokesperson, Malesela Maubane, had not given comment on the matter.
