After years of studying under trees and tents, the pupils at Ngangolwandle Senior Secondary in Elliotdale are finally going to get the much-needed shelter they have been begging the government for.
The department of education, working with the office of the premier, has allocated funds for the construction of 20 classrooms, toilets and fencing.
The school – one of the best performing in the Dutywa district – has more than 3400 pupils, and the few classrooms they have are overflowing. Some grades have lessons in the open field, others find shelter under trees and solar panels.
The education department allows for a school to have up to 1000 pupils, but the school gave way to pleading from desperate parents and admitted far more than the required number.
Of the six blocks of classrooms they have, four were built by parents and the other two by the government.
According to parents, one of the factors that led to the overcrowding was principal Wisizwi Billie, who is famous for his strict discipline. This has led to parents of substance abusers sending their children to Ngangolwandle. The school attracts pupils from as far as KwaZulu-Natal.
When the Daily Dispatch first visited the school three months ago, some classrooms were so full that pupils were sitting on desks outside looking in through the windows. Some were accommodated in a small tent while others sat on the branches of trees to escape the scorching heat.
Two contractors are already on site working on the foundation of the new classrooms.
Billie was elated that their dreams are finally coming true.
“We are so happy that when we open for the third term, we will have classrooms. Each of the grades has pupils who study in the open field. When it is cold, we rotate them so each class can have time in a classroom for a while. When it rains, we send them home early. Now all of them will have classrooms.”
Government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said premier Phumulo Masualle had identified schools that needed classrooms.
“The government is doing everything it can to improve the level of education in the province. In line with that, the premier identified a number of schools – including Ngangolwandle – where there is a need for classrooms.”
Education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said this was a culmination of meetings with the community “where we promised we would contribute the new structure to curb overcrowding”.
He refused to say how much the structure would cost.
Trees, tents make way for classrooms
The department of education, working with the office of the premier, has allocated funds for the construction of 20 classrooms, toilets and fencing.
The school – one of the best performing in the Dutywa district – has more than 3400 pupils, and the few classrooms they have are overflowing. Some grades have lessons in the open field, others find shelter under trees and solar panels.
The education department allows for a school to have up to 1000 pupils, but the school gave way to pleading from desperate parents and admitted far more than the required number.
Of the six blocks of classrooms they have, four were built by parents and the other two by the government.
According to parents, one of the factors that led to the overcrowding was principal Wisizwi Billie, who is famous for his strict discipline. This has led to parents of substance abusers sending their children to Ngangolwandle. The school attracts pupils from as far as KwaZulu-Natal.
When the Daily Dispatch first visited the school three months ago, some classrooms were so full that pupils were sitting on desks outside looking in through the windows. Some were accommodated in a small tent while others sat on the branches of trees to escape the scorching heat.
Two contractors are already on site working on the foundation of the new classrooms.
Billie was elated that their dreams are finally coming true.
“We are so happy that when we open for the third term, we will have classrooms. Each of the grades has pupils who study in the open field. When it is cold, we rotate them so each class can have time in a classroom for a while. When it rains, we send them home early. Now all of them will have classrooms.”
Government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said premier Phumulo Masualle had identified schools that needed classrooms.
“The government is doing everything it can to improve the level of education in the province. In line with that, the premier identified a number of schools – including Ngangolwandle – where there is a need for classrooms.”
Education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said this was a culmination of meetings with the community “where we promised we would contribute the new structure to curb overcrowding”.
He refused to say how much the structure would cost.
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