These schools are shadows of their former selves
Sowetan reporters shine a spotlight on three schools
DILAPIDATED: Tirisano Primary School in Jabulani, Soweto, has been abandoned for several years. PHOTO: VATHISWA RUSELO- THESELE Secondary School in White City Jabavu, Soweto, was shut down in 2005 when it experienced dwindling numbers of pupils because of migration to cities and the suburbs.
The education department also found that the school was built on a wetland.
Boasting 10 blocks and 21 classrooms, the school is arguably one of the biggest in the township.
After its closure the building became a crime hub in the area.
The school was built before the 1976 Soweto uprising.
In 2007 neighbours with permission from the former school principal and the department of public works took control of the school.
Now it is home to more than 20 different businesses, including woodwork, carpentry and tailoring.
The businesses have a workforce of more than 50 people.
"We need more schools like this [abandoned] so that we can use them to improve our lives," said Jabu Ntuli, the school's caretaker.
- Leshome Junior High School in the rural area of Botshabelo, Free State, was closed in 2008 when pupil enrolment dropped.
The school, built in 1983 and notorious with community members, was riddled with allegations of drug abuse, violence and vandalism by its own pupils.
Former pupil Molebogeng Skhosana said: "When boys came back from initiation schools they would start harassing girls and other small boys."
But Leshome's former principal, Rancho Tlhaole, said the pupil numbers dropped because primary schools had decided to increase their curriculum.
Up until now the school has been in an advanced stage of dilapidation.
However, Tlhaole said plans were under way to turn the school into an FET college.
- In the North West village of Dinokana, outside Zeerust, a group of 70 pupils, some as young as six, walk a distance of 2km to school.
This is after their school, Puana Primary School, was shut down in 2009 due to low pupil enrolment.
The two-block school comprising eight classes was built in 1968.
Its pupils were moved to Gareosenye Primary School, situated 2km from Puana.
ethelp
I am surprised that the governement would see it fit shut down schools due to a low number of students.This should be a time when governement should be promoting less number of pupils in a class to ensure that the pupils get better attention. I do not understand why the government is promoting a high number of pupils in class burdening the teachers with a high volume of work and being unable to identify, nurture and help those pupils with learning problems. It doesn't make sense. It is my view that the fewer the pupils in a class the better the education and the more energetic the teachers will be, then the schools will be viewed as a better option to place for one's child. Taking into account the number of times "OUR EVER DEMANDING CURRICULUM" has been changed, the government is promoting a high volume of pupils in one class and then reduce the expected grading (pass mark) to have a high pass rate so that the Minister/Department will think that the (mess) system works. Do their kids attend a school where they are squashed in one class? This is not fair.Report Abuse
Dinamanama
The reason parents migrate thier kids to school in town or private schools is because the standard of teaching has dropped in the rural or township schoolsTeachers come to work drunk,they date pupils,go on strike before exams and work as chancellors.
Look whats happening in eastern cape
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imthegreatest
@ ethelp - total agree with you. schools in Alex, Diepsloot, Tembisa and many rural area still have over 70 learners in class which is injustice to the learners and education at large. state can do better than what they are doinging now. there must be a rule to force the ministers and goverment officials to use public institutions like schools, hospitals etc. they must not be allowed to take their children to private school and etc.Report Abuse
Tango
Tirisano is in Molapo and not Jabulani.That used to be my former primary school and it makes sad to see it in that condition.Report Abuse
somaartakeit
every infrastructure is deteriorating very fast in the hands of anc regime, neh? and some still vote for this decay? but then who am I to preach, ppl get the gov they voted for.Report Abuse
zaco
somaartakeitevery infrastructure is deteriorating very fast in the hands of anc regime, neh? and some still vote for this decay? but then who am I to preach, ppl get the gov they voted for.
Sinudeity
Nice job ANC.
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gents Anc may be fumbling... but your condescending attitude is nauseating, that's why DA is not a viable alternative
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Sinudeity
zaco - LAME excuse dude. Think of something better please. What about 'The DA will bring apartheid back"?Report Abuse
zaco
Sinudeityzaco - LAME excuse dude. Think of something better please. What about 'The DA will bring apartheid back"?
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am i wrong???----always condescending to a black led rule!
besides..look at cape-town! the problem of racism is infesting the province...what do you say about that???____
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Bigfoot
I am of opinion that this is not solely a political problem. Yes, the ANC is the ruling party and therefore responsible to the people of this country. It is also true that no government will succeed unless the people responsible do their jobs. I see this often in the line of my work. You find a number of schools that are rundown, dirty and in bad shape. Learners are undiciplined and rude. Then you walk into another school one day and you feel as if you have walked into the perfect school as it is obvious that things are done in a much better way.When you ponder about this, you find that the principal and staff are simply of outstanding quality with pride in what they are doing.
Not only is it necessary to apply pressure on govenment to be more strict in their evaluation of the quality of managment in schools but for parents to open their eyes, apply pressure on the schools via discussions, correspondence and even the media. We are talking about the future of our youth, the leaders of tomorrow. They are therefore very important. Let us start doing something ourselves instead of simply pointing fingers. We have a responsibility as well.
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