Angry parents and pupils have shut down a rural school in Limpopo because classrooms have remained roofless since a storm tore into the school building five years ago.
Pupils at Mphengwa Secondary School in Eldorado Village in Senwabarwana were dressed in full school uniform as they joined their parents in boycotting classes.
"No one has seen the hardships of Mphengwa," they sang as they approached the school gate.
Pupils have been forced to learn in dilapidated classrooms while being exposed to both rain and sunshine since October 2011.
Community leader Godfrey Molapo said they were furious that the department had failed to come to their aid since a storm ripped off the roof.
Molapo vowed that there would be no learning until the building was repaired.
"We have called a total shut down of the school. We are sick and tired of waiting. There will be no school until we can sit down with the people in charge. We will only be convinced when we see building materials being brought in," he said.
Molapo said they had written letters to the provincial education department with no response.
President of the school's representative council of learners Mutchinya Sekhwama said:
"Today I am matriculating and the condition is still the same. On sunny days we are forced to learn in these classrooms. The sun rays affect our eyes. When it rains we have to go back home."
Sekhwama said they were disappointed that the problem had gone on for so long.
"I am feeling extremely disappointed. Remember that the very same government says education is their first priority. But they don't show any sign that reflects to us learners that education is their first priority.
"If you do not burn something or take strong action they don't do anything," Sekhwama said.
Theodorus Makeke, a former pupil, remembers the morning a storm blew the roof away like it happened yesterday.
Makeke, who matriculated in 2012, said he was shocked that the situation had not changed.
"We are still in the same position we were in during 2011. What we ask from government is to be recognised," he said.
However, spokesman for the provincial department of education Naledzani Rasila said their infrastructure unit had compiled a survey of all affected schools and efforts were being made to resolve the issues. "As a department we will continue to deliver but we are working with thin resources," Rasila said.
He said the department had already assessed the damage at the school and would eventually refurbish the building. mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
5 years with no roof - School shut by parents and learners
Angry parents and pupils have shut down a rural school in Limpopo because classrooms have remained roofless since a storm tore into the school building five years ago.
Pupils at Mphengwa Secondary School in Eldorado Village in Senwabarwana were dressed in full school uniform as they joined their parents in boycotting classes.
"No one has seen the hardships of Mphengwa," they sang as they approached the school gate.
Pupils have been forced to learn in dilapidated classrooms while being exposed to both rain and sunshine since October 2011.
Community leader Godfrey Molapo said they were furious that the department had failed to come to their aid since a storm ripped off the roof.
Molapo vowed that there would be no learning until the building was repaired.
"We have called a total shut down of the school. We are sick and tired of waiting. There will be no school until we can sit down with the people in charge. We will only be convinced when we see building materials being brought in," he said.
Molapo said they had written letters to the provincial education department with no response.
President of the school's representative council of learners Mutchinya Sekhwama said:
"Today I am matriculating and the condition is still the same. On sunny days we are forced to learn in these classrooms. The sun rays affect our eyes. When it rains we have to go back home."
Sekhwama said they were disappointed that the problem had gone on for so long.
"I am feeling extremely disappointed. Remember that the very same government says education is their first priority. But they don't show any sign that reflects to us learners that education is their first priority.
"If you do not burn something or take strong action they don't do anything," Sekhwama said.
Theodorus Makeke, a former pupil, remembers the morning a storm blew the roof away like it happened yesterday.
Makeke, who matriculated in 2012, said he was shocked that the situation had not changed.
"We are still in the same position we were in during 2011. What we ask from government is to be recognised," he said.
However, spokesman for the provincial department of education Naledzani Rasila said their infrastructure unit had compiled a survey of all affected schools and efforts were being made to resolve the issues. "As a department we will continue to deliver but we are working with thin resources," Rasila said.
He said the department had already assessed the damage at the school and would eventually refurbish the building. mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
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