Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Sergio Isa dos Santos MPL
This week, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng undertook several oversight inspections of various schools in the province to assess the conditions, identify challenges, and propose solutions to ensure every child receives a quality education.
The oversight inspections have raised serious concerns regarding the development of new or replacement schools in the province.
At Cosmo City Primary School in Cosmo City, the construction site has experienced frequent interruptions, with community and business forums halting work at various stages since the commencement of the project. The contractors on site expressed their concerns, citing delays that are hindering the construction progress. The construction began in September 2023 with an anticipated completion date of March 2025, but there are already requests to extend the deadline to May.
Please see pictures here, here, here, and here.
Inkululeko Yesizwe Primary School in Vlakfontein, where construction of a brick-and-mortar school to replace existing mobile classrooms began in 2020, is currently at a standstill. Our oversight inspection revealed ongoing issues with contractors leaving the new development half-complete and two blocks awaiting foundations. The school is grappling with severe overcrowding while this essential project remains incomplete.
Please see pictures here, here, here and here.
Other schools, such as Nancefield Primary School, have been waiting for several years for completion, while pupils at Theresa Park Secondary School attend only one day a week due to the shortage of classrooms.
Please see pictures here, here, here, here and here.
This stands in stark contrast to the DA in the Western Cape, which has successfully built schools within 65 to 71 days through its Rapid School Build programme.
The sad state of the school infrastructure observed during our oversight visits highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive review and improvement of school infrastructure in the province.
The DA will continue to hold the Gauteng Department of Education accountable for its failures. We are committed to rescuing Gauteng learners from a failing education system by ensuring that every learner in our province receives 210 full teaching days a year and enjoys their fundamental right to quality education in a safe and conducive environment. For this to happen, we urge all Gauteng residents to vote for the DA on 29 May 2024.