Maria Louw High in dark over power cut
Angry hostel pupils protest, abandon class
WHILE many are turning to their electric blankets and heaters in the cold, hostel students at Maria Louw High School have endured a week of darkness and having to bath in cold water.
That is why Grade 11 and matric pupils took to the streets this week, marching to the education department’s district office in protest against the lack of electricity at the school and hostel.
A hostel student said they were finding it difficult to study without electricity.
“Our problem is that the department of education did not pay the money owed to the municipality, and we have heard that we are the only school in Komani that owes the most.”
Some of the hostel pupils were going from door to door to ask residents in Victoria Park and Sabatha Dalindyebo to charge their phones and to boil water.
As a result, she said some pupils had decided to stay away from school.
“The school dismisses us early now because there is no electricity, which has affected the daily operations,” the student said.
District deputy director Daan Jonker, speaking to a large crowd which had gathered around him, laid the blame at the door of the department’s head office, who had failed to pay the municipality on time.
“The electricity went off last Wednesday and we have done our absolute best to make sure that the electricity is switched on again. On that same evening [we] negotiated with the municipality to switch on the electricity but they did not accept our explanation and did not accept the fact that the lights can be switched on without any payment,” he said.
Head office had indicated that the transfer would take place last Friday. The district office had asked for payment to be made directly to the municipality so that the power could be switched back on.
“They have committed that they will try their best,” Jonker said.
The department had engaged in discussions with the municipality to come up with an alternative solution. “We have reached a dead-end with the municipality because they said they want payment first.”
Jonker promised pupils that they would be kept informed.
After his speech the pupils dispersed with some saying that they would not be going back to classes.
Maria Louw principal Robert Smith declined to comment.
On Wednesday morning students had closed the school gates to teachers, refusing to continue with classes.
Lukhanji spokesman Fundile Feketshane said electricity could not be provided free.
“Statements are provided to all customers so that they pay for their services.
“Maria Louw has an obligation to fulfil its financial obligations as and when payment falls due and they know the processes, including the power cut-offs. We are not at liberty to disclose their debts.”