Farm school in Bethal in bad state

BETHAL – Kids are learning under severe conditions on farms schools in Bethal.

A classroom at Imvuselelo Primary School is on the verge of collapsing.

Its floor has many holes in it and is putting learners in danger.

They said they have seen snakes at the school.

The school is using the multi grade system and about 30 learners from Grades R to 7 are using a classroom and are taught by only two teachers.

This room is also used by the principal and the school clerk.

There are no toilets and water at the school and learners have to relieve themselves in the veld.

Ms Florence Motaung from the School Governing Body, said it is unfortunate that this is happening in a democratic country.

She has lost count of how many times she has tried to ask for help from the Department of Education, but to no avail.

“This is not a conducive environment for teaching and learning and we urge the Minister of Education to intervene and save these learners from this misery.”

Ms Motaung said because of the situation, the Department of Education has moved them to the nearest school.

However, the principal of that school allegedly chased them out and said she did not have space available at her school anymore.

The Ridge Times visited the school that is situated a few metres away from a blasting coal mine.

Parents complained when the mine is doing blasting, the dust affects the learners.

The school looks better than the other school, however as the newspaper reporter was doing interviews, a learner exited the classroom to relieve herself.

She went into the veld where there is a pit toilet without walls.

She was relieving herself in the open without any privacy.

The Ridge Times contacted Mr Jasper Zwane, spokesman of the Department of Education, several times, but he did not answer his phone.