Mixed fortunes on first day
Gauteng opens new school amid protests
The first day of schooling saw a contrast of events that included violence, protests, barricades, pupils being sent home and parents erecting toilet structures.
In Gauteng, schooling began with clashes outside Hoërskool Overvaal in Vereeniging where protesters – including EFF and ANC members – had to be dispersed by police with rubber bullets and tear gas.
The protest came after a ruling by the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria that put aside the Gaute ng education department’s instruction to the school to admit extra 55 Grade 8 pupils.
ANCYL Gauteng secretary Bones Modise was one of the people hit by rubber bullets.
In Finetown, south of Johannesburg, tensions ran high at Finetown Secondary School as angry parents prevented teachers from entering the school, as they demanded new classrooms to be built.
The parents decried the mobile classrooms which had been in use since the school’s inception in 2011.
They accused the education department of reneging on its promise to build permanent classrooms and improve the school’s infrastructure, including electricity.
Thabo Phaka, a member of the school governing body, said mobile classrooms were not conducive to learning during extreme weather conditions.
“We are not going to lie and act as if the teachers are not performing. The school has a good pass rate, but how can they improve their results when learning takes place in classrooms that are very hot in summer and very cold in winter?” Phaka asked.
In Soweto, Anele Nkucha, 12, was one of the pupils who were turned away at Bhukulani Secondary School in Zondi 2 as her name did not appear on the system of registered pupils.
Nkucha cried uncontrollably in the school’s corridors.
“My father dropped me here in the morning and said I was already accepted ... that is why he has bought the uniform already. However, they told me to go back home,” she sobbed.
In the North West, parents at Kejakile Secondary School at Mofufutso village, near Delareyville, knuckled down to fix toilet structures.
The four classrooms of the school built in the 1980s also have broken windows and
‘ ‘ My father dropped me here, saying I was accepted
doors, and no ceiling.
“It’s not a difficult job,” said parent Klark Melken about the work on pit toilets.
In Westbury, Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi opened a brand-new R97-million Everest Primary School.
“We have 21 schools built [of] asbestos; we are taking a responsibility to eradicate them before 2019,” Lesufi said.
Kyle Koma, 13, a pupil at the school, said his dream is to be a forensic pathologist.
“My parents never afforded a private school where you find libraries and labs but the department has secured a bright future for me,” he said.