Parents protest over dilapidated building at Tholukwazi Primary School in eMbalenhle

eMBALENHLE – The governing body and parents of Tholukwazi Primary School in eMbalenhle embarked in a protest action against the Department of Education to demand a renovation of the school.

The disgruntled parents said they decided to protest after their attempts to engage the department of education failed.

They are sick and tired of empty promises by the Department of Education.The parents closed the school gates two weeks ago and told learners to return home. The gates are currently still locked.

Teachers and support staff are not allowed onto the school premises.

Mr Muntu Fakude, SGB treasurer, said the parents told the SGB that the school will remain closed until the Department of Education intervenes.

He said the parents are unhappy with the condition of the school building.

The buildings are dilapidated and the learners might be injured in class, because ceilings are sagging and pieces might collapse on top of them.

“The administration block is in a terrible state.

“We have written letters to the district and to the province to inform them about the state of the school building, but they are not taking this seriously.

“We even went to Mbombela. We were told that our concerns were noted and would have been made a priority, but nothing has happened after that. Enough is enough.”

Mr Fakude said the department appointed a service provider to repair storm water damage instead of attending to the buildings.

He said they appreciated the storm water repairs, but that it is not enough.

“Our children and educators are in danger and we feel the department should treat this as an emergency.

“There are also temporal structures made from asbestos that are being used as classrooms.

“This makes things even worse, because asbestos poses a health hazard.”

Mr Fakude said if the department does not intervene, they will enhance the protest.

The Department of Education did not yet comment at time of going to press.