The state of infrastructure at Freedom Park Secondary School a concern for learners
FSS a target for crime
Learners at Freedom Park Secondary School are speaking out about the current condition of the school. The school, which opened its doors in September 2014 gave hope to the hundreds of residents living in the Freedom Park and Devland area.
Residents were ecstatic, knowing that their children no longer had to walk far distances to schools in the neighboring community of Eldorado Park. Both teachers and learners have said that in only five years, the school has drastically deteriorated.
Sibusiso Ngwenya (18), a Grade 11 learner who is a part of a student movement at the school called the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), he said that the movement was started in hopes to make the school teachable and comfortable for learners again.
Mongezi Mabuza (18), who is the RCL president said that the learners are committed to their education but it becomes difficult to learn in an environment where there are no resources and proper infrastructure for learners.
Zandie Mhlongo, the acting principal at the school said that the past few months have difficult. “Towards the end of last year, our school was broken into. Windows and door handles were broken, parts of the school fence was stolen, ceiling boards were stolen and several classrooms were left without furniture,” said Mhlongo.
“One of the biggest challenges at the school is the lack of security, this leaves our school vulnerable and it means that criminals have easy access to the school,” she added.
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Mhlongo said that they requested for security several times but they are told that the department does not have the funds.
Mhlongo also said that overcrowding is another challenge the school is faced with. “We have close to 60 learners in one class. This makes teaching and learning almost impossible,” she said.
The RCL and COSAS members have been working together to come up with solutions. “We need to start thinking of ways to help ourselves because no one else is interested in our education,” said Mabuza.
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