Eldorado Park schools face closure amid ongoing power cuts

Eldorado Park schools have been thrown into uncertainty after electricity disconnections disrupted teaching and learning, with the School Governing Body (SGB) Forum warning that schools could shut down if authorities fail to act.

The SGB Forum addressed the media during a press briefing held at Eldomine Secondary School on March 30, raising alarm over ongoing power cuts affecting several schools in the area.

SGB media liaison Charis Pretorius said the situation has left learners, especially matriculants, struggling to continue with their academic programmes.

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“Our biggest challenge right now is that we have no electricity at this school,” said Pretorius.

According to the forum, the disconnections were implemented by the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) on March 27, leaving multiple schools without power, including Eldomaine High School and Eldorado Park Senior Secondary School, as well as Heerengracht and Kliptown primary schools.

Pretorius explained that the crisis stems from unresolved municipal arrears, which schools are now expected to pay despite not incurring the debt.

“These arrears were accrued while the schools were under the management of the Department of Education. Why should they be paid by the schools?” she questioned.

The forum further criticised the Gauteng DoE for failing to provide clarity or leadership on the matter, despite repeated requests for intervention.

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“We’ve asked the MEC and the HOD to come out and speak to us. Nobody has bothered,” Pretorius said.

She also raised concerns about a previously announced R434 million payment allegedly made to the city, questioning whether any of it benefited Eldorado Park schools.

“If that amount was paid, which schools were paid? Because we are still sitting with arrears and disconnections,” she added.

The lack of electricity has severely impacted classroom activities, particularly as many schools rely on digital learning tools.

“There’s no effective teaching and learning taking place. We work with smart boards, which require electricity,” said Pretorius.

While some schools have been temporarily reconnected, the forum described the situation as inconsistent and unsustainable.

“We are seeing a yo-yo effect, reconnecting and disconnecting. Why is that happening?” she asked.

The SGB Forum warned that if no meaningful engagement takes place, schools will remain closed in the new term.

“Schools will not be open in Eldorado Park in term two if this issue is not resolved,” Pretorius stated.

A deadline has been set for April 8 at 11:00. The forum expects both the DoE and the CoJ to engage with decision-makers present.

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“If they are not here to engage with us, we are going to close down the schools,” she warned.

The forum is also urging parents to become actively involved, stressing that the future of learners is at stake.

“Parents must ask: Where does your child attend school, and how much does that school owe?” Pretorius said.

With only 2% school fee collection reported at some institutions and limited funding allocations, the SGB says schools are unable to sustain mounting operational costs.

Soweto Urban has sent inquiries to both the Gauteng Department of Education and the City of Johannesburg. Responses will be published once they are received.