No space at schools
SIMTEMBILE MGIDI, CHUX FOURIE, ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA, PHILANATHI RASMENI and ANDISA BONANI
ASHORTAGE of space at Komani schools seemed to be the most prevalent problem on the first day of education on Wednesday.
The overwhelming frustrations caused by late registrations at Louis Rex Primary School in Komani resulted in a heated argument between two teachers while more than 15 parents were writing out application letters to allow placement on a waiting list.
SGB member Adele Hendricks said, “We are here to assist with the enrolment and to help parents to apply for next year. We have 1 380 pupils this year.”
Grade 1 pupil Sibabalo Sele is dreaming of becoming a teacher, but did not yet have a place at a local school.
Nokwanda Junior Primary School in Ezibeleni was up and ready to begin the first term.
Grade 6 pupil Iviwe Ngwendu said, “I want to be a policeman when I grow up because I want to arrest the criminals”.
Principal Funeka Rozani said the school had been declared as one of the best primary schools in the district.
“We have a challenge of teaching space in a school that was meant to be from Grade 1 to 3, yet it is accommodating Grade R to 6. The department promised to provide mobile classrooms. To date there has been no action.”
At St Theresa’s Primary School, principal Msondezi Bulu said the school had sent letters to the department, asking for temporary classrooms to overcome crowded classes.
Late registration for Grade 1 pupils continued at Lukhanji Public Primary School but the classes were already jam-packed.
Principal Mzukisi Tshabe said the number of applications had grown compared with last year.
“We are continuing with admissions but we will stop at the end of the week.”
Thembelihle Public Primary School (TPPS) principal Morris Rani said the target was to have 120 Grade 1 pupils, divided into three classes. Registration was due to end today.
He also expressed concern over pupils having to walk past two holes filled with sewage in Bongweni, saying it posed a safety risk.
Van Coller Primary School principal Eddie Valashiya said the challenge was that the department of education started counting pupils from Grade 1 in schools, neglecting Grade R.
“However the department does provide school nutrition, furniture and learning materials.”
Teacher Lindiwe Tatiya said there were currently 26 Grade R pupils in her class with 14 more needed in order to reach 40.
Half of a Grade R class at Lonwabo Primary School on Wednesday was in tears as their parents left, with Grade R teacher Nomfusi Simon-Khohli having to guard the door against possible escapes.
Get Ahead Primary School Grade R pupils were playing outside and getting to know each other with Luncuthu Cwata and Kwandiwe Dineka saying they were already good friends.
Grade R teacher Olivia Horn said the first week of school served as an orientation period.
“My teaching strategy involves watching the children develop into their own personalities while I guide them to build on their strengths and talents.”
Hangklip Junior School, which introduced English-medium classes a few years ago, had no vacancies in their English section and there was a lengthy waiting list, while in the Afrikaans classes there were still a few vacancies for Grade 1 and the other grades.
A Queen’s Junior spokesman said they were “full to the brim” with a very long waiting list.
“We don’t usually have many vacancies in grade 1 because the boys from Kudu Calves are usually just about all we can take, and we fill up quickly.”
At Balmoral Girls’ Primary School it was all systems go from day one, with no evidence of tears among the bright faces of the Grade 1 pupils who had settled down in their classrooms from early on in the morning.