Parents and School Governing Body shut down Laerskool Jeugkrag

Parents, learners and teachers shut down Laerskool Jeugkrag on Monday, 16 September, making good on their promise to take action against the school’s infrastructure.

At a recent meeting of the School Governing Body (SGB), dissatisfaction was expressed about the staircases that are cracked, putting the lives of learners and teachers at risk.

This source of grave concern to them unfolded on 16 August, with learners protesting in front of the circuit office of the Department of Education.

A petition about the state of the building was handed over and seven days were given for a response from the department.

Mr Louis Thabethe, chairman of the SGB, addressed the group on Monday, inviting parents to inspect the staircases, while learners and teachers remained in the courtyard.

Teachers and learners afterwards protested in front of the circuit office as well during which teachers signed an attendance register.

‘Viva Jeugkrag’ and ‘amandla’ were heard.

The newspaper is in possession of photos from a trustworthy source in which the deteriorating staircases are highlighted.

https://standertonadvertiser.co.za/96113/anxious-angry-parents-jeugkrag-still-waiting/

“Parents are angry, as well as anxious,” Mr Thabethe said.

“What will happen when the first rain begins to fall?”

According to Mr Thabethe, they began communicating with the department in 2006, writing letters after which officials from the department arrived, took photos, but nothing was done.

Their strong-worded petition cited chapter 2 of the Constitution of South Africa that refers to a safe and healthy environment, the Child Care Act 74 of 1983 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1983.

Learners then waved placards about Hoërskool Driehoek in Vanderbijlpark during which learners lost their lives and some sustained injuries.

The demands included the prioritisation of the safety of the building and staircases at the school, the deployment of qualified and accredited structural engineers, a comprehensive report be made available before the end of August, temporary classrooms be made available should the upgrading of staircases begin.

The Department of Education and Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport must also prioritise the integrity of all building structures throughout the province and nationwide, as well as the department’s database of accredited structural engineers be made available to schools, should the need arise.

The Standerton Advertiser spoke to Ms Sophia Bohata, circuit manager of Lekwa East, on Thursday, 5 September and according to her, her head office is handling the matter.

When talking to the provincial spokesman of the department, Mr Jasper Zwane, a request was made to send the information to him via WhatsApp.

“I will forward it to the infrastructure team,” Mr Zwane said.

A letter from the Mpumalanga Department of Education, dated 26 August, received from another trustworthy source, stated that Laerskool Jeugkrag was assessed in 2017 on ‘Table B5’ for three consecutive years and the ‘DPWRT’ (Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport) has not intervened.

The memorandum also read that the same table was applied for the 2019/2020 financial year and a letter of concern will be sent to the HOD. Protesters went to the circuit office in Ermelo on Monday after being told the circuit manager is not available.

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