Teacher raises money to buy chairs for school in eMbalenhle
“Recently, learners were writing their tests. What I saw was shocking. Some were writing while putting their books against the wall because we have a shortage of school desks.”
The end of the rotational learning system in schools has brought problems for many schools in eMbalenhle
Two years ago, when the lockdown was introduced, schools were forced to close as the country was facing the spread of Covid-19.
Later, schools began to use a rotational learning system which meant that learners were put on separate timetables to allow for adequate social distancing and to decrease the chances of spreading Covid-19.
However, all schools across South Africa returned to full-time attendance in February.
This comes after Cabinet’s amended Alert Level 1 Lockdown regulations stated that primary, secondary and special schools should return to daily attendance with no social distancing requirements being in place in schools anymore.
The Department of Basic Education welcomed the cabinet’s decision to return to full-time learning and teaching in all schools.
Phindile Sibande, a teacher at Ikusasalethu Secondary School in eMbalenhle, fundraised money to buy 130 chairs for learners in his school.
According to Sibande, after the announcement that learners should return to full-time learning and teaching, he noticed that learners were fighting for chairs and tables.
He said even after his purchase, some learners still do not have tables and chairs. They sit on the classroom floor and it is difficult for them to concentrate.
“Recently, learners were writing their tests. What I saw was shocking. Some were writing while putting their books against the wall because we have a shortage of school desks.
“As a teacher and parent, I asked myself what can I do to assist my school for the learners to be productive because the situation they are in can contribute to the lower pass rate at the end of the year,” said Sibande.
“ I began to raise money to buy chairs. Fortunately, many businesses responded to my request and I was able to raise R5 000.
“Then I bought 160 chairs that will assist almost three classes.”
Sibande said teachers need not always complain.
He said sometimes they have to come up with solutions because they are the parents of those learners.
“Also, learners spend more time at school than at home and teachers understand them better than their parents.”
School principal, Bheki Jele, said Sibande is hard-working and always brings solutions for everything, especially when it comes to school issues.
“As the school, governing body, staff and learners, we extend our gratitude toward Sibande and the business community that responded to his call.
“We appreciate this donation as it will assist in alleviating the shortages of furniture in our school,” said Jele.
Sibande pleads with the parents and the community to donate a chair or table to the school as it will make a huge difference in their children’s future.
