Tsolo school still not fixed after 2015 tornado

More than 200 children are desperately trying to pass exams although they are at the mercy of the weather, while the department of education literally does not know they exist.
Their Tsolo school’s roof was blown away by a tornado in 2015. But the parents, teachers and pupils of Gungululu Primary School say the damaged roof is not the only problem – windows are broken, doors damaged, electricity cables exposed, birds make nests in the classrooms, and they are still using pit latrines.
The school, built 46 years ago, accommodates 209 pupils.
School governing body treasurer Nomzwabantu Magona said: “We have tried everything to get the department of education to fix the school. We have phoned, written letters and even visited the district office in town.
“The best response we have ever had is when a group of officials came to take pictures of the school.
“We waited thinking that change would come, but nothing happened.
“We complained again, and they sent another group to take pictures again – and then it went silent again.”
A teacher, who asked to remain anonymous, said in bad weather most children stayed home because parents did not want them to get sick.
“The core business of the school is interrupted. Teaching and learning cannot take place because sometimes there are too few pupils to teach and we have to send them home. When the rains comes, or when strong winds blow, the children are subjected to that and the curriculum is affected,” she said.
Parent Gilta Puza said the department of education was failing their children.
“Not everyone can afford to send their children to schools in town. This is an old school, and community members once put money together to buy the zinc sheets for the roof that were blown away by the tornado. Everything about the school is uninspiring,” she said.
The school’s caretaker had tried to hammer the roof together, but the wood was rotten.
Provincial education spokesperson, Loyiso Pulumani said he could not find the name of the school on their system.
“I will contact the district office and I will come back to you.
“It is going to take some time because I will need to talk to the district director. I will respond,” Pulumani said...

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