LIMPOPO – While Matshumu Primary School learners are being taught in dilapidated classrooms in Zebediela, the state-of-the-art model C school that the department of basic education promised to build them remains a white elephant.
One of the community leaders, who is also a member of the school governing body, Andries Kekana, said they were deeply worried that their children were educated inside decaying structures.
“The Department of Basic Education promised to build our community a model C school which will comprise 24 classrooms, a library, laboratory, a kitchen and an administration block. The promised school would have included a modern multi-coded sport facility”.
The new school, which was built three years ago, is surrounded by long bushy grass and Kekana added that should there be a veld fire, there was a big risk that the entire school would burn down.
Provincial department of education spokesperson, Dr Naledzani Rasila, said they were aware of the plight of the community of Moletlane.
Asked why the school building was still unoccupied, Rasila said the school had not yet been completed.
“At the moment, the construction of the school is still in phase one. We are yet to complete construction up until phase three. This will be done during the next financial year.
Contrary to anecdotal reports within the education sector, the construction will be completed in a few months’ time so that the school can be occupied by next year April, Rasila reassured late last week. However, he added, it can not be ascertained at present when the school will be completed and fully functional.
