Due to ageing and collapsing infrastructure, learning and teaching are severely compromised at Laerskool Oospark and Lebohang Secondary School in Emfuleni Local Municipality.
The classroom walls have cracks, and the ceiling is on the verge of collapsing, causing a safety risk for both learners and teachers.
Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) conducted an oversight inspection at these two schools. We were shocked to discover that Laerskool Oospark is paying a monthly fee for temporary structures supporting a passage on the brink of collapsing.
This passage leads to the classrooms, toilets and the hall. In addition, this 65-year-old school has three blocks of classrooms built with asbestos
There is raw sewage flowing inside the school at Lebohang Secondary School. Some of the toilets are blocked and are a health hazard. The sewer problem has existed since 2017, and the Emfuleni Local Municipality has done nothing to fix it. The ceiling at the school is also collapsing.
The school does not have electricity in most of the classrooms, leading to the department taking away their smart boards.
The DA demands that the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane prioritises the safety of these learners and teachers to ensure that the schooling environment is conducive to delivering quality education.
We will be tabling written questions to the MEC at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to determine time-bound, urgent interventions required from the department to ensure the safety of both learners and teachers from the collapsing infrastructure.