For years, Eastern Cape education bosses had promised to build them a new school, a promise that is yet to materialise.
Last year, authorities promised them temporary structures, which also failed to arrive.
And while authorities continue to dither, fed-up parents at Atwell Madala High School, one of the most overcrowded schools in Mthatha, have taken matters into their own hands by raising about R150,000 to build makeshift classrooms.
The school has contracted local builders to construct three additional classrooms.
A portion of the money raised has been used to buy building materials in the form of corrugated zinc sheets, purlins, sand and cement.
“We don’t have to beg the department [for proper classrooms],” said school governing body chairperson Ndoyisile Fudumele on Friday.
“It is the duty of education authorities to ensure that each school is provided with enough classrooms. They expect good results at the end of the year and yet our children have to learn under atrocious conditions.”
Fudumele said the school had more than 1,600 pupils enrolled for 2019.
The Dispatch reported in 2018 that Atwell Madala was so overcrowded that five pupils had to share a desk in some classrooms.
In some classes, there were up to 90 pupils, while toilets were filthy with pupils having to relieve themselves in the open.
Ceilings in some classes were also starting to crumble, while some old prefab structures used as classrooms had gaping holes.
“They [education authorities] came here in November last year and promised us more temporary classrooms.
“They assured us that by the time the schools re-opened, everything would be here,” Fudumele said.
He said when they saw no action from the provincial department of education, they decided to approach parents to dip into their pockets and help out.
“These people do not work and come from some of the poorest communities around.”
School principal Yalelwa Mfecane could not be reached for comment at the time of writing as she was in meetings.
Eastern Cape provincial education spokesperson Mali Mtima initially promised to respond to questions, but later said he needed to speak to officials from the infrastructure unit of the department before commenting.
The spokesperson previously said a contractor had already been appointed to build the new school.
Sadtu provincial secretary in the Eastern Cape, Chris Mdingi, said it was regrettable that parents were forced to dig into their pockets when the department was receiving grants meant for infrastructure provision in schools.
“The reality is that infrastructure development is moving at a snail’s pace here in the Eastern Cape,” Mdingi said...