Central SA
Northern Cape school receives much-needed mobile classrooms─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 07:19 Wed, 31 Aug 2022
The Department of Education in the Northern Cape has finally delivered mobile classrooms to the Hantam High School.
The school was recently closed as a result of infrastructure-related challenges. This, after certain classes were found to be unsafe.
The MEC of Education in the Northern Cape, Zolile Monakali, visited the school in Calvinia on 29 August 2022, to hand over 14 mobile classrooms to accommodate all affected learners.
ALSO READ: Infrastructure leads to closure of Northern Cape school
Monakali had previously highlighted the importance of the continuation of learning and teaching in an environment that would not put the lives of learners and teachers at risk.
Despite the infrastructure challenges, he pledged that his department will take steps to solicit the best expertise on the matter.
Meanwhile, Monakali adds that the 14 mobile classrooms that have been delivered to the Hantam High School are a temporary solution to accommodate all learners for normal learning and teaching, whilst infrastructure work continues to safeguard the affected section of the school building.
He said all learners will immediately return to school and that the curriculum plan will be implemented.
Monakali pleaded with the school community to guard and protect mobile classrooms.
ALSO READ: Parly concerned over NC school infrastructure
The Chairperson of the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba, had previously raised concerns over the state of school infrastructure in the Northern Cape.
Mbinqo-Gigaba told OFM News that one of the schools they visited in the ZF Mgcawu District Municipality, is renting property from a local farmer in the area and was not well maintained. Mbinqo-Gigaba added that it was not clear as to who should be held accountable to keep up the premises.
Another school in North West was also closed by the Department of Labour over challenges of dilapidated infrastructure.
The EFF's provincial secretary in the North West, Papiki Babuile, had told OFM News that learners from Klipgat Secondary School and Thule Primary School were subjected to conducting their studies under trees and in parking lots.
