THE KZN Department of Education has dismissed allegations that Clairwood Secondary School was illegally operating a textile factory on its premises.

Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, said the department’s oversight visit to the school served two purposes:

• To monitor the progress of the final matric examinations and,
• To investigate reports circulating in the media that a factory was operating on the school premises.

“The report we received from the school principal indicated that the section being rented out is cordoned off from the school. The factory workers have no contact with the learners,” Ngcobo said.

Also read: Education Department launches probe into Clairwood Secondary allegations

The visit followed the release of a video in September by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s labour desk, in which members alleged that the school had rented out its hall to a textile factory employing undocumented foreign nationals.

The labour desk said at the time, they discovered that the school signed a lease agreement with the company which employed undocumented illegal immigrants.

However, Ngcobo said their recent visit at the school proved that there is no interference between the school and the factory.

Ngcobo explained that schools are allowed to generate income by renting out facilities such as halls or classrooms to external parties, including churches, as part of their fundraising efforts.

“My interest was to ensure that the funds generated from the rental of the space, which is being used as a textile factory, are properly accounted for and audited.

“Secondly, I wanted to confirm that the presence of the factory does not disrupt teaching and learning. I am satisfied that this is a textile factory with minimal noise since they use sewing machines, and the factory is located a considerable distance from the classrooms,” said Ngcobo.

Ngcobo added that the factory’s 41 employees, 40 women and one man, finish work long after learners have gone home.

Also read: Chinese company donates R200 000 to Clairwood school

“The school is safe, and we have advised the principal to ensure that there is no interaction between learners and factory workers,” he said.

During the oversight visit, Ngcobo said the department also verified that the factory owner and most workers are South African citizens.

“Initially, there were 52 employees, including 12 foreign nationals of whom only four were undocumented. However, the owners have since decided to terminate their contracts,” he said.

Ngcobo emphasised the importance of adhering to the country’s laws.

“It is essential that the laws of this country are respected. We understand that people may be frustrated, but we urge members of the public to comply with the law,” he said.

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