School’s rental headache

Provincial Education Department ‘has not paid rent since 2011’

THE Springfield Hindu Sabha has squashed claims that a 116-year-old Durban primary school is set to shut its doors.

The organisation’s response comes after community members were called to a mass meeting yesterday regarding the future of the Springfield Hindu Primary School.

An alleged unpaid bill dating back to 2011 has become an issue of contention between the Sabha and the Department of Education, which is responsible for paying the school’s rent.

According to a notice issued ahead of the meeting, members of the Springfield community were asked if they would accept the closure of the only primary school in their area.

The notice said: “Where will current and future learners receive their primary school education? Are the relevant parties really concerned about the future of our children’s education?”

In July, lawyers acting on behalf of the Sabha sent a letter to the department asking them to vacate the premises by December 31 because it defaulted on the lease agreement.

The school, which has 650 pupils from Grade R to Grade 7, was established in 1903 and taken over by the Sabha in 1947.

The quintile five school mainly serves two large informal settlements. Governing body chairperson Zanele Ndelu said: “Where will we put our children if the school closes? We have to negotiate with the department so the school does not close.”

Eddie Naidu, chairperson of the Springfield Hindu Sabha, said the school would not close. “The matter is sub judice. I believe the matter will be solved by next week.”

Kwazi Mthethwa, spokesperson for the KZN Education Department, said that due to contractual obligations they were unable to discuss terms and conditions of the matter.