WAAIKRAAL – The community of Waaikraal in Delmas says it is about time its outcry regarding the learning conditions in Manyazela Primary School is heard by the Department of Education which should act fast to resolve the alarming situation.
In the unfolding of events, the community members confronted the Executive Mayor of Victor Khanye Local Munipality (VKLM), Vusi Buda, after a meeting with MEC of Education which was held in Hoerskool Delmas on 20 January. The ward committee members produced a petition signed by community members and a letter which details all the concerns which has reportedly been sent to Victor Khanye circuit manager, the office of the Executive Mayor for VKLM and Waaikraal ward councillor, Oupa Masilela.
The contents of the letter highlight the disheartening school conditions which include amongst others:
- The fact that the school practices multi-grade learning as it only has four classrooms to facilitate all the eight grades in total (Grade R- 7). In one classroom there is a combination of about three grades, 1, 2 and 3 to facilitate lessons interchangeably;
- The schoolyard which is constantly muddy due to the fact that the school has been built on wetlands;
- No playing facilities for the learners meaning that they never play any sporting activities and no sufficient playing equipment for the Grade R learners;
- No room for the Grade R learners to take a nap as they are still at pre-primary school level.
The school principal, Themba Mahlangu, who has been away from August 2019, has allegedly left with the school’s tablets and computer. Principal Mahlangu, who is allegedly on sick leave, has reported in January this year that he will only come back in April. The school deputy principal, Sinethemba Mazibuko, is allegedly unqualified to be a deputy principal, according the community members. There are allegations of money that was paid by parents but had not been returned by the principal to the parents for a school trip that never transpired.
Principal Mahlangu could not be reached for comment regarding the allegations made against him after several attempts to get hold of him on his mobile number through calls and SMSs.
A concerned parent, Mathe Ndlovu, said, “The conditions in the school are not favourable for teaching and learning. Imagine Grade 1, 2 and 3 learners mixed in one class. There must be a plan to build extra classes and we are here to seek answers and a way forward”.
Community members chanted ‘Mazibuko must go!’, ‘ Mahlangu must go!’ while burning tyres during the protest outside the school demanding a plan of action and no empty promises during the meeting held by VKLM Mayor Vusi Buda, the School’s governing body chairperson, the deputy principal, PRET representative and some ward committee members on 21 January.
Buda says the school needs a facelift and since it belongs to the parents, they should be assisting the government. Buda further said that, “Victor Khanye circuit manager [Lihle Ngwenya] should intervene and take the matter forward to the attention of the responsible department of education.” “Schools are the competency of the provincial and national government to come up with plans to improve the school’s conditions”, Buda added.
Mpumalanga department of education was contacted regarding the matter and it is still mum about it while the national department of basic education has promised to respond to the matter in question. It remains to be seen what plan of action will be undertaken by the provincial and national departments of education respectively to resolve the issues and conditions in the school.
