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RELIEF EFFORT: Children watch as a container, sponsored as a mobile office by Vodacom, is offloaded at Selowe Primary School in Silvermine in Limpopo, where classes have been held under trees. PHOTO: KEVIN SUTHERLAND

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The move will come as a relief to pupils and teachers who have been conducting lessons under trees since the beginning of the year.

Since the plight of the pupils was highlighted in the media, several companies have come on board to help the school.

The school had no other facility save for a single shack that was used to teach Grade R pupils. Yesterday the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) donated 170 pairs of school shoes for the pupils.

Hi-Tech, a sports apparel company based in Johannesburg, also donated 165 jerseys and shirts for the pupils. The school will operate as a satellite school for Kgwale Primary School in the nearby village since it has not yet been registered.

The process of registering the school is under way and the department hopes it will be completed in time so that a new school will be built starting next year.

"Approval of the school has already been granted and Selowe Primary School will be established come next January," said department spokesperson Pat Kgomo.

So far the department has promised to deliver desks and chairs to the school, while also brainstorming at the possibilities of making available a feeding scheme for the school's pupils.

The school was established by members of the community to reduce the distance their children had to walk to attend school in two nearby villages.

The school had 14 teachers, including the principal, none of whom were recognised by the provincial department of education.

Only two of the staff had teaching qualifications.

All were working as volunteer teachers and were not being remunerated for their efforts. Concerns have been raised about the future of the volunteers because the department intends bringing in qualified teachers come July 16 when the academic calendar in the province resumes.

Kgomo said they were still determining the number of teachers to be sent to the school "in terms of the population of children".

The department has rejected suggestions that the volunteers should be awarded bursaries to train as teachers given their commitment to the profession.

Kgomo said such a move would set a bad precedent "where people establish illegal schools and then demand that those involved be trained."

Yesterday, Evans Seanego, the self-appointed principal of Selowe, said he was concerned about the future of the two qualified teachers.

"I'm worried that those who have been volunteering with us while in possession of relevant qualifications would be made to sit idle."

Comments

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Tue May 21 15:01:35 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 22, 2012

mrc22

Ladies and Gentlemen what is Goverment of South Africa is doing look what is happening here in this country this people they don't have schools in their pleaces guys come on. Their children they are in expensive Bording Schools University ayikhona bafowethu kwenzakalani Tell the JuJu.
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Jun 22, 2012

Mnikazi

ACSA and Hi-Tech Thax guys. . . . the country can do with more companie like you<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>> i wish they can do something for the underqualified teachers cause they are doing something positive.
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Jun 22, 2012

kage251084

The Dept. of Education in a whole is a joke that is why people like Blade Nzimande should not be retained in the ANC structure for the next term because they are not concerned about the civilians of this country but they are just fat-cats with big-mouths...and Mr. Kgomo should be clear on issues this school was not established for self benefit but for the benefit of the kids so those who don't have qualifications deserve training based on factors that propelled them establishing the school because of the dept.'s failure top realize that kids are struggling due to the distance that set between them n the school that was two villages away..So Kgomo you should be ashamed but instate your pride blinds you from making factious conclusions regarding the matter..not everyone from an illegal school as you state should be rewarded a training bursary but your dept. should analyze the facts n conclude from that.and i dont see why the dept. cant quicken the registration of the school?why?because this is a matter of urgency..so Kgomo with all your incompetency leave that office of yours a do the right thing this time.
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Jun 22, 2012

zondamanzi

DANKIE GUYS
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Jun 22, 2012

imd

mxm
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Jun 22, 2012

2shy2call

ACSA and Hi-Tech we appreciate what you have done as for HI-tech I will encourage my family and friends to support the Brand specially from Joburg. Big Up to you Guys
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Jun 22, 2012

Mopediwamakgonthe

Im really in tears - tears of joy - ACSA and H-Tech big ups to you.
as for the depart we all know they are all about empty promises - "they are to deliver desks" when? after a court interdict, i wonder??? nxaaa
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Jun 22, 2012

Candycane

Guys,

This is so sad, i mean "The department has rejected suggestions that the volunteers should be awarded bursaries to train as teachers given their commitment to the profession"

What is the government thinking?, these volunteers are feeding young generation with knowledge where possible, why the rejection and especially for given busaries to the guardians?

Yah neh, SA government.....Kak :-(
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Jun 22, 2012

Bebesocs

No infrastructure, no toilets, yheeey kunzima.
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Jun 22, 2012

Mctoff

& the powers that b, dnt realize that this Angie minister needs to fired with a whole lot of officials for incompitancy
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