GRADE R children of Tambaulate village in Limpopo have to walk 3.5km a day to attend school in the nearby village of Tshitomboni.
Like other pupils of higher grades at the school, the children - aged between five and six - are forced to walk on a rocky road and cut through thick bush because the nearest school was shut down in 2009.
The department of education closed Tambaulate Primary because of the low enrolment rate.
Community leaders say the department wanted an enrolment threshold of more than 55 pupils. There were only 53 pupils at the time.
The pupils face another threshold dilemma: they do not qualify for state-sponsored scholar transport because the distance to Tshinetise Higher Primary School in Tshitomboni is less than five kilometres.
The children are mostly from poor families and their parents rely on social grants.
On Friday, Sowetan joined some of the children as they left Tambaulate at 5am and reached Tshinetise just before 7am. Classes started at 7.30am.
The children brought wood which the school uses to make fire to prepare their meals.
Five-year-old Lavhelesani Netili, who started Grade R two weeks ago, is tired of walking the long distance. His unemployed mother, Nancy Netshifamadi, 28, said the boy was "totally out of school mood" because of the distance.
"Our children fall asleep in class every day because they are tired.
"We did not meet the education policy of transport, but they must make a plan to assist our children," said Netshifamadi.
Tambaulate village headman Tshamano Netshitungulwane said he was surprised by the department of education's decision to close the school.
"They told me they needed more than 55 pupils. The children are suffering because they have to walk past dangerous areas," said Netshitungulwane.
"I have asked the department to provide transport and they told me the kilometres were less than the education policy required, so parents must make a plan."
Community meetings were held in an attempt to raise money for transport. Community leader Philip Makungo said only five of the 59 pupils were ready to pay R100 for transport every month.
"We need the government to do something for these children soon," said Makungo.
Thohoyandou police spokesperson Major Mashudu Malelo said the police were aware of the risks faced by the children.
Malelo said a docket was opened last Monday after a Grade 4 boy disappeared. He was found alive the following day.
Limpopo education spokesman Pat Kgomo said it was not only Grade R of pupils Tambaulate village who experienced the problem.
"We are opening discussions with communities where they feel disadvantaged to resolve the matter," said Kgomo.
School pupils face danger daily
GRADE R children of Tambaulate village in Limpopo have to walk 3.5km a day to attend school in the nearby village of Tshitomboni.
Like other pupils of higher grades at the school, the children - aged between five and six - are forced to walk on a rocky road and cut through thick bush because the nearest school was shut down in 2009.
The department of education closed Tambaulate Primary because of the low enrolment rate.
Community leaders say the department wanted an enrolment threshold of more than 55 pupils. There were only 53 pupils at the time.
The pupils face another threshold dilemma: they do not qualify for state-sponsored scholar transport because the distance to Tshinetise Higher Primary School in Tshitomboni is less than five kilometres.
The children are mostly from poor families and their parents rely on social grants.
On Friday, Sowetan joined some of the children as they left Tambaulate at 5am and reached Tshinetise just before 7am. Classes started at 7.30am.
The children brought wood which the school uses to make fire to prepare their meals.
Five-year-old Lavhelesani Netili, who started Grade R two weeks ago, is tired of walking the long distance. His unemployed mother, Nancy Netshifamadi, 28, said the boy was "totally out of school mood" because of the distance.
"Our children fall asleep in class every day because they are tired.
"We did not meet the education policy of transport, but they must make a plan to assist our children," said Netshifamadi.
Tambaulate village headman Tshamano Netshitungulwane said he was surprised by the department of education's decision to close the school.
"They told me they needed more than 55 pupils. The children are suffering because they have to walk past dangerous areas," said Netshitungulwane.
"I have asked the department to provide transport and they told me the kilometres were less than the education policy required, so parents must make a plan."
Community meetings were held in an attempt to raise money for transport. Community leader Philip Makungo said only five of the 59 pupils were ready to pay R100 for transport every month.
"We need the government to do something for these children soon," said Makungo.
Thohoyandou police spokesperson Major Mashudu Malelo said the police were aware of the risks faced by the children.
Malelo said a docket was opened last Monday after a Grade 4 boy disappeared. He was found alive the following day.
Limpopo education spokesman Pat Kgomo said it was not only Grade R of pupils Tambaulate village who experienced the problem.
"We are opening discussions with communities where they feel disadvantaged to resolve the matter," said Kgomo.
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