Appalling conditions at hostel Parents worried
Teresa Opperman
Learners staying at the Michausdal Senior Secondary School hostel in Cradock, recently raised alarm about the dire living conditions at the hostel. A total of 120 learners stay in this so-called home away from home. The Advertiser phoned Nkosikho Mtshotane, director for the Chris Hani East District for the Department of Education, on 16 April, to ask him what his viewpoint is regarding this issue. He replied that he is not aware of any problems at the hostel and ended the call. Photos of baths filled with filthy black water, stinking toilets, dirty floors in corridors and rooms, bed sheets being used to cover windows to ensure privacy, old and dirty uncovered foam mattresses with holes in them, bed frames wired to door frames to ensure learners' safety, holes in walls where pipes are leaking black liquid from failed plumbing, and non-working geysers, are but some examples of the unacceptable state of affairs at the hostel mentioned by a parent. "Geysers are no longer working as the pipes were stripped from the walls. All the learners share just two kettles to boil water to wash themselves. In the kitchen, electric equipment does not work because wiring has been removed. Single beds are in a poor state of repair and none of the rooms are equipped with curtains. Walls and floors are in a desperate need of cleaning and a coat of paint," says the parent.
Another upset parent says she trusted the education department with her child's safety.
"My child has never lived in such filth, and I really thought that she was staying in a safe and secure hostel, as the department promised us when she was transferred to this high school," says the parent, whose daughter travels from Hofmeyr to Cradock every Monday.
The deputy head of the school, Beatrice Adriaanse, was appointed as matron of the hostel a month ago.
During an interview with the Advertiser, she said that the building previously accommodated up to 200 learners, and that she wants to change the conditions at the hostel. "We need new beds and mattresses. Plumbing needs to be upgraded, electricity is in a sad state and the whole building should be upgraded. Our parents and the governing body are trying their utmost to improve the living conditions," said Adriaanse. She told the Advertiser that she worked with the student governing body to improve the dining room where 120 learners have their meals. "This was done to the best of our financial ability," she said.
Problems reported in 2019
The Advertiser contacted Horatio Hendricks, a member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, who confirmed that he is aware of the situation, and that he wrote a letter to MEC Fundile Gade of the
Eastern Cape Department of Education, as well as to the acting head of the department, Sharon Maasdorp. Hendricks said no reply has been received.
He said that a portfolio committee visited the school back in 2019, and that it was found that the condition of the hostel was not good. At the time the committee recommended that the department should ensure that the hostel is renovated.
Hendricks asked Gade to inform him whether any renovations have taken place at the hostel since 2019, and if so, what?
He said that parents and learners would also like to be informed of the plans to improve the living conditions as a matter of urgency.
"No child should be expected to stay in such horrific conditions, ever. No acknowledgement of receipt of the letter and feedback in this regard has been received by end of business, Monday 8 April," Hendricks said.
The Advertiser has also contacted the headmaster, Rudy van Rooyen, on 8 April, who said that he can't comment on the issue and promised to forward the contact details of one of the SGB members, but to date the Advertiser has not received any details.
The Advertiser also tried to contact the Department of Education, but their phones are out of order.
He said that parents and learners would also like to be informed of the plans to improve the living conditions as a matter of urgency.