UPDATE: Primary school closes indefinitely
The Gauteng Department of Education is aware of this problem and they were informed again of this latest development.
IT took only three days for Ormonde Primary School to shut its doors again, the status quo is still the same as last year when it first open its doors to the public of the South.
The school is situated on two sites, zoned educational and residential. That seems to be its biggest obstacle for having reliable municipal services.
The school term opened on Wednesday, January 11 and two days later, the water for Ormonde Primary was cut. All the learners were told on Monday, January 16, not to come to school the following day. It still uses a generator for power and makeshift public toilets.
READ: BREAKING NEWS: Primary school closes indefinitely
When the COURIER visited the school on Tuesday, January 17, after being asked by some of the members of the school governing body (SGB), the school was empty except for a couple of teachers and the principal.
Yap Salomon, deputy chair of the SGB, expressed his shock and disappointment at the Gauteng Department of Education. He said what they promised last year hasn’t materialised.
“The same problems we had on January 13 last year, are still not resolved. About 1 200 learners are sitting at home without education, because someone isn’t doing his/her job. I mean this was supposed to be resolved last year. We were looking forward to a smooth operation this year, however we’re stuck with the same problems,” he said.
There were no children in sight at the school. The teachers who were at the school use ablution facilities outside the school, such as restaurants nearby.
Former SGB member and parent to a learner at the school, Shahid Williams, said this situation needs to be resolved as soon as possible. “We can’t go on as if things are normal. I mean we live in a very respectable suburb, but the reality at the school doesn’t resemble the suburb. Please, we need an urgent intervention, now!” he concluded.
The Gauteng Department of Education is aware of this problem and they were informed again of the latest development.
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