Buffalo City Metro Innercity Secondary School finally opened on the premises of the old Grens Preparatory School on Monday.
There was lots of excitement as parents whose children had not found placement at other schools introduced them to their new surroundings.
The new school caters for about 375 pupils in grades 8 and 9.
Grens Primary, currently based in Arcadia, is to move into a new building at Grens High School in Baysville to make way for the inner-city high school.
The move was supposed to have occurred in June, to ensure the inner-city high school started operating on time this year. However, Grens Primary remains on the property until the move can occur.
The Eastern Cape education department previously told the Dispatch the project was delayed by non-payment of the construction company due to cashflow problems.
Grens Primary principal Jan Brand said the completed move would be done later this year, when the new school building was ready.
The Dispatch reported last month that as many as 500 pupils had not been registered in BCM schools.
“Things have been going well at this stage. We have sorted a few things with the department and I am happy that we are all working together because this is about the children and their right to education,” Brand said.
However, Brand raised concerns over the condition of the building and two schools using the same premises.
“We have provided them (Innercity) with 11 classes. We gave them our Prep building, which is a school on its own, with an admin block and a hall. But when it rains, the building floods.
BCM Innercity school finally opens although still no joy for Grens Primary
Image: Randell Roskruge
Buffalo City Metro Innercity Secondary School finally opened on the premises of the old Grens Preparatory School on Monday.
There was lots of excitement as parents whose children had not found placement at other schools introduced them to their new surroundings.
The new school caters for about 375 pupils in grades 8 and 9.
Grens Primary, currently based in Arcadia, is to move into a new building at Grens High School in Baysville to make way for the inner-city high school.
The move was supposed to have occurred in June, to ensure the inner-city high school started operating on time this year. However, Grens Primary remains on the property until the move can occur.
The Eastern Cape education department previously told the Dispatch the project was delayed by non-payment of the construction company due to cashflow problems.
Grens Primary principal Jan Brand said the completed move would be done later this year, when the new school building was ready.
The Dispatch reported last month that as many as 500 pupils had not been registered in BCM schools.
“Things have been going well at this stage. We have sorted a few things with the department and I am happy that we are all working together because this is about the children and their right to education,” Brand said.
However, Brand raised concerns over the condition of the building and two schools using the same premises.
“We have provided them (Innercity) with 11 classes. We gave them our Prep building, which is a school on its own, with an admin block and a hall. But when it rains, the building floods.
Anger that school has not reopened ‘as promised’
“We are very happy with the progress so far, we just hope the department will stick to its promises because there is no construction happening at the moment. The workers are just cleaning and that worries the teachers and parents. At this stage there is no budget coming forward.”
The source said an agreement to have roof repairs on the old building completed next month was taken by the department and stakeholders in December 2019.
Education spokesperson Loyiso Pulumani said on Tuesday classes at the Innercity school had already reached full capacity with 375 pupils enrolled this week.
bhongoj@dispatch.co.za
Image: Randell Roskruge
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos