Last year, the department came under scrutiny over allegations of the closure of two schools over issues of dilapidated infrastructure. This, after the EFF Provincial Secretary in the North West, Papiki Babuile, informed OFM News that the Klipgat Secondary School in Madibeng in the Bojanala District, and the Thule Primary School in the Ratlou District were closed by the Department of Labour after the inspectors deemed the building unsafe for learners.

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Speaking at the Seasons Wedding and Conference Centre near Mahikeng on Friday, Education MEC Viola Ntsetsao Motsumi said that she visited various schools during the reopening, which included amongst others the Dirang Primary School in Klipgat (Madibeng), Swartruggens Intermediate School, and the Tirelo Secondary School in Rustenburg, as well as the Tshebedisano, Tshedimosetso, and the Pelokgale Thutothebe Primary Schools in the Matlosana Municipality. Their infrastructure raised alarming concerns. She, however, added that the department has taken steps to address the challenges.

“The infrastructure unit within the department is hard at work in respect of attending to all schools with infrastructural problems. We will also continue to work closely with all the stakeholders through QLTC, which includes collaboration with our municipalities, and Magosi a Rona in terms of creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning, not forgetting our partners and stakeholders,” added Motsumi.

Motsumi further said the department had requested communities to present challenges they may be experiencing in various schools on the departmental Facebook page. She says their decision came after realising that the population in the province is predominantly constituted of younger parents who mostly rely on social media platforms for interaction and communication. Motsumi adds that challenges have been reported on social media platforms which relate to the ageing of school infrastructure, sanitation, placing of pupils, learner transport, overcrowding, school safety, and many others. As a result, the majority of challenges reported have since been resolved and others are still being attended to.

OFM News