A Limpopo community is still waiting for a school to be built in their village after it was approved 19 years ago.
Now pupils from GaSako Village in Moletjie outside Polokwane walk through bushes and at times, across flooded rivers to attend school in the neighbouring GaLissa village almost 4km away.
Village headman Frans Sako said the community first made an application to have a primary school built in the area in 1994, however the school never materialised despite efforts to follow up with the department.
"The history of this dates back to when I was a school child myself. Despite the high illiteracy levels our parents took it upon themselves to apply for a school," Sako said.
Yesterday, Sowetan watched as pupils from Grades R to 7 left their homes just after 6am to make their way to Radibolotje Primary School.
Selina Machuene Sako said she walks her seven grandchildren to school at 6.30am daily.
Another resident Dorcas Mokgele said she relied on her mother to walk her son to school on days when she has to work.
A document dated 1997 reflects that the establishment of "Sako Primary" was approved in terms of the Northern Province School Education Act.
More documented evidence shows that the community was in correspondence with the department in recent years during the administration of different MECs.
According to a 2009 letter addressed to the then general manager of infrastructure at the department from another department official, GaSako was one of 17 communities that were prioritised.
The letter stated that 13 of the schools had been built while four schools, including Sako Primary, were outstanding.
"The communities of the four villages with outstanding school building projects are not happy that they have been left out. They have gone as far as registering their their unhappiness with the office of the premier," the letter stated.
The official further urged that the school building projects be considered in the 2009/2010 financial year.
Yesterday, provincial education department spokesman Naledzani Rasila said he did not have the information on that community and could not comment on the specific case.
Rasila said the community should take their case up with the local circuit office for the latest information.
mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
19-year wait for school
A Limpopo community is still waiting for a school to be built in their village after it was approved 19 years ago.
Now pupils from GaSako Village in Moletjie outside Polokwane walk through bushes and at times, across flooded rivers to attend school in the neighbouring GaLissa village almost 4km away.
Village headman Frans Sako said the community first made an application to have a primary school built in the area in 1994, however the school never materialised despite efforts to follow up with the department.
"The history of this dates back to when I was a school child myself. Despite the high illiteracy levels our parents took it upon themselves to apply for a school," Sako said.
Yesterday, Sowetan watched as pupils from Grades R to 7 left their homes just after 6am to make their way to Radibolotje Primary School.
Selina Machuene Sako said she walks her seven grandchildren to school at 6.30am daily.
Another resident Dorcas Mokgele said she relied on her mother to walk her son to school on days when she has to work.
A document dated 1997 reflects that the establishment of "Sako Primary" was approved in terms of the Northern Province School Education Act.
More documented evidence shows that the community was in correspondence with the department in recent years during the administration of different MECs.
According to a 2009 letter addressed to the then general manager of infrastructure at the department from another department official, GaSako was one of 17 communities that were prioritised.
The letter stated that 13 of the schools had been built while four schools, including Sako Primary, were outstanding.
"The communities of the four villages with outstanding school building projects are not happy that they have been left out. They have gone as far as registering their their unhappiness with the office of the premier," the letter stated.
The official further urged that the school building projects be considered in the 2009/2010 financial year.
Yesterday, provincial education department spokesman Naledzani Rasila said he did not have the information on that community and could not comment on the specific case.
Rasila said the community should take their case up with the local circuit office for the latest information.
mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos