Parents close Luxolo intermediate school
ABERDEEN - On Wednesday morning, 14 September, in Thembalesizwe (Aberdeen) parents of learners attending the local Luxolo Intermediate School, orderly evacuated all learners and personnel from the school grounds and closed and locked down the premises.
Members of the School Governing Body (SGB) explained and showed the absolute horrendous condition of the facilities at the school. The bathroom facilities are in utter disrepair and can only be described as a hygienic nightmare of the worst kind.
After learners left the premises, one gate was locked and then all personnel, including the principal, were requested to leave. The last gate was locked by the SGB as soon as everybody left.
George Yalolo from the SGB, representing the parents, emphasised that this lockdown was done by the parents, not the teachers. He explained that the parents simply could not allow the situation to continue.
"We now need to know from the department when more teachers will start here, when will the toilets be repaired or replaced, where is the promised R90 000 for this school and when will the school building be attended to. This is a hazardous building and we also want to know when a caretaker will be appointed," Yalolo said.
Amidst emotional and overwhelmed parents, teachers and learners the one thing that stood out was the contained and very disciplined fashion in which the lockdown process was carried out. The courteous and respectful way in which the principal and teachers were treated embossed a lasting impression: this was the last option for concerned parents
"I have mixed feelings and am slightly overwhelmed," said a visibly emotional Christo Frazenburg, principal of the school. "I represent the Department of Education, but also, I am living the same frustrations that the parents are having. These are my learners and my teachers and as you can see, it is neither safe nor healthy for them here. I am just so sad that it had to come to this."
Frazenburg said the district director from the Department of Education did visit the school on Monday, 12 September, and pleaded with the parents to refrain from locking down the school. "The department promised to return on Tuesday, next week," said Frazenburg.