An oversight by the DA in Limpopo at Thabane Primary School and Pae Pae Secondary School has revealed serious infrastructural challenges, which must be addressed and rectified immediately.
Thabane Primary School experienced storm damage in the 2014/2015 financial year and it was never repaired or rebuilt. View photo here and here.
At the start of the academic year, the school had 680 learners which has reduced to 554 learners, due to overcrowded class rooms.
Pae Pae Secondary School which only has 141 learners currently used to have over 300 learners, but many learners have sought admission in nearby schools due to the poor quality of infrastructure. View photos here and here.
The school had been identified for an infrastructure project that included the building of 8 classrooms, a science block, an administration block, covered parking and the demolition of 12 classrooms and pit toilets but the project was never implemented.
Teachers are also tasked with teaching subjects they are not adequately qualified for due to the shortage of teachers.
Both schools were placed on the reprioritised school list for construction of classrooms in Sekhukhune in 2017 but they have never been attended to.
It is clear that these schools are falling apart as a result of poor planning and poor maintenance of infrastructure by the department. The department is faced with serious infrastructure challenges and backlogs relating to school sanitation, dilapidated schools, storm-damaged schools, inadequate infrastructure and general maintenance.
Given the non-responsiveness of Education MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya on many infrastructure issues we will write to the Premier, Stan Mathabatha to urgently intervene and hold Lerule – Ramakhanya accountable and ensure these challenges are addressed.