MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The chairman of the school governing body of Garden Route Primary School in Asla Park, Mr Kwenzekile Skoen, says conditions at the school are untenable.
This follows the death of a learner, 11-year-old Mivuyo Homane, in a tragic accident on the school grounds on Thursday, 26 April.
Mr Skoen lambasted the Western Cape Education Department for not investing in the school that was initially built by PetroSA to house approximately 800 learners.
The school now accommodates more than 1 460 learners from one of the poorest communities in Mossel Bay.
Although it seems that plans are afoot to have a number more temporary classes delivered to the school, the community fears that it will in no way alleviate the dire need for more schools.
"Mossel Bay is growing exponentially. This community is bursting at its seams; more and more people are moving into Asla Park. There are not enough schools to accommodate the number of learners for whom decent schooling is a constitutional right."
Classmates of the late Mivuyo Homane, who died on the school grounds in April, have to receive tuition in a corner of the drafty school hall. The hall is extremely cold and winter is approaching.
Mr Skoen rues the fact that schools in the disadvantaged areas are not getting the attention they deserves from the department compared to other schools in Mossel Bay.
"How can one expect 1 400+ learners to play on two concrete quads.
Our school does not have proper sporting facilities even though there is land available for them. Our learners have to use the library and computer laboratory for classes because there is not enough room for everyone.
Our classes exceed the stated national norm by far; we average more than 50 learners per class.
"Our teachers suffer because of this. There is no way that they can give the learners the individual attention they deserve. They have picketed about conditions at this school in the recent past. The stress is taking its toll."
The school governing body, Mr Skoen says, does not see a short-term solution to the problem unless the department invests in proper facilities for the school.
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