Note to Editors: Please find an English soundbite by Haseena Ismail MP here
Please find pictures here, here and here
The DA’s recent oversight visit to the Thuto Lesedi High School revealed that this school, like other in Ekurhuleni, suffer from chronic understaffing, deeply rooted infrastructure issues, and a lack of basic supplies like tables and chairs. In a school with more than 2200 students, there are only 46 classrooms available. If every classroom was used at all times, that would mean every class has just under 50 students in it at all times.
Some key concerns that need to be urgently addressed are:
- Insufficient number of classrooms;
- Inadequate water and electricity supply to the school;
- Broken down plumbing systems; and
- Severe furniture shortages.
When taking the broad impact of the above challenges into mind, one can’t be surprised to hear that the school struggles with teacher shortages, and truancy. The question we will be asking those at the head of the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) is: would you want to spend time here?
The answer will be no. The solutions to this school’s crises lay tied up in resources. The school does not receive the necessary resources, to conduct its duties effectively. Were they supported, students would have desks and chairs, and educators would feel comfortable discharging their duties.
That is not the case, and while we will be demanding answers and action from the GDE, we also put a call out to non-governmental organisations, and corporate South Africa. Consider the Thuto Lesedi High School as a beneficiary.
The school needs the help, and we do not believe that the GDE is up to the task of providing it.