Urgent intervention needed for muddy school road ‘Help fix our road’
The road is a huge concern for Principal Elaine Galanakis.
With school set to start in less that two weeks’ time, teachers at Hlanganani Preparatory School are concerned about their road.
The inclement weather last week turned the road leading to the school into a muddy trap and now it’s far more than just a bumpy ride.
The road is a huge concern for Principal Elaine Galanakis.
She explained that if parents can’t enter the school to enroll their children and pay school fees, the school will not be able to pay salaries.
Some 350 children use this road and most rely on taxis to get to and from school.
The school, now in its 29th year, has in the past received very little help from authorities and, on more than one occasion, has had to hire a grader to fix the road.
“We have had parents and teachers getting stuck travelling this road. We teach and encourage our children to look neat and tidy , but this road puts a damper on that and pupils arrive at school covered in mud,” said Principal Galanakis.
She also felt strongly that a bus shelter and pedestrian crossing was urgently needed.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipal spokesman, Simon April, said the municipality has a grader programme taking care of gravel roads in all wards and that if this was a municipal road it will also fall under the same programme.
“We would like to encourage ward councillors to engage with our road and stormwater section for emergencies that fall outside of the programme,” he said.
Mr April said the complaint has been directed to the municipality’s acting manager for roads and stormwater to perform a site investigation with the view to seeing if the road falls under RNM’s jurisdiction, and if so, what can be done to repair it.
The school caters for pupils from Grade R to 7.
“We considers ourselves unique and playing a key role in a community of transformation,” said Principal Galanakis.
Even a casual observer can see that the school has a clear vision, and takes much pride and care of its facilities, including the classrooms and grounds.
For example, pupils recently made 250 eco-bricks to help fill up and level an area on the school grounds.
“It takes, quite incredibly, half a black (plastic) bag to fill a plastic 2-l bottle. Pupils and the public are encouraged to bring plastic and 2-l bottles in order for the school to make more eco-bricks.”
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