By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with sabcnews.com
Published on 2024-01-17 14:42:18
The first day of the new academic year was met with frustration and disappointment as Masamane Primary School, located more than 100 kilometers outside Mahikeng in the North West, did not open. Parents took a stand and shut down the school due to a number of issues, such as unhygienic flushing toilets and poor quality drinking water.
This is not the first time the school has faced closure. Similar concerns were raised by parents last year, resulting in the school being closed for several weeks. Community members have accused the North West Department of Education of neglecting the school’s infrastructure challenges.
Tshireletso Gabokojwe, a concerned parent, expressed disappointment in the Department of Education’s unfulfilled promises to renovate the classrooms and address the lacking facilities. The absence of toilets and water at the school has left parents feeling frustrated and disheartened. Some parents shared their distress over their children missing out on the first day of the academic year, with one parent expressing concern that it was their child’s first year of school.
North West Education MEC, Viola Motsumi, responded to the situation by assuring the community that she would visit the school to address the raised concerns. She acknowledged the closure of Masamane Primary School and pledged to work towards finding a resolution to the issues raised by the community.
Despite the closure of Masamane Primary School, the Department of Education reported that most schools were able to commence the new academic year without any disruptions. However, one school in Tswaing experienced challenges related to a scholar transport dispute, while others were affected by recent storm damage.
The closure of Masamane Primary School sheds light on the ongoing struggle for adequate infrastructure and resources in South African schools. It also emphasizes the importance of government accountability and responsiveness to the needs of the community and their children’s education.
Read the original article on SABC-News
