Noted to editors: Please find the attached English soundbite by Khathutshelo Rasilingwane MPL.
Learners at Tswelopele Secondary School are being compelled to learn in overcrowded classrooms because individuals have invaded the school- land, hindering plans to build new classrooms and alleviate overcrowding. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and Gauteng Department of Human Settlements (GDHS) have not taken action to address the land invasion notwithstanding the impact it has on learners.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) recently made this discovery during an oversight inspection at Tswelopele Secondary School in Ivory Park. We found that residents have built houses on land designated for school use and continue to reside there without any intention of relocating. This issue, according to school officials, is preventing the construction of new classrooms that have been budgeted and approved by the GDE.
See photos here, here and here.
The DA further learned that, since the project for building new classrooms cannot proceed due to limited space caused by the encroachment, learners are crammed up in classrooms. The current overcrowding in classrooms is around 55 to 56 learners, which is directly impacting the quality of learning at the school.
What is particularly troubling is that this issue is not new. According to the school officials, the encroachment began three years ago and was immediately reported to the district office of the GDE in Ekurhuleni. Despite this, no meaningful intervention has occurred. The continued inaction not only undermines the school’s ability to fulfil its educational mandate but also sets a dangerous precedent of a lack of protection of public infrastructure.
The DA demands the immediate eviction of individuals who have invaded school property and calls for their relocation to suitable alternatives. This decisive action is vital to freeing up space for the essential construction of new classrooms at Tswelopele. Both the GDE and GDHS must step up and demonstrate their commitment to protecting schools and securing a brighter future for our children.
The DA will submit questions to the MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, and the MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, regarding the encroachment at Tswelopele Secondary School. We will be seeking a comprehensive explanation for the lack of action taken to resolve this persistent issue. The DA will also work with the local authorities in Ekurhuleni to address the issue of land invasion in the area.
The DA Gauteng Provincial Government would initiate an eviction process to remove individuals encroaching on school property. Additionally, the DA encourages community members to seek alternative land for building homes.