Free State Education officials visited a school in Botshabelo on Wednesday (17/7) to address disgruntled parents, teachers, and SGB members who closed the school on Tuesday.

It is day two and the school is still closed as learners stand outside the premises. Teachers, parents, and SGB members closed Thato Secondary School because it is dangerous for the staff and learners.

Parents said the school should not be in use as it is in a state of dilapidation, with falling ceilings that pose a danger to their children and educators.

The school’s management team working with parents cordoned off the school grounds and banned pupils from entering the premises on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We are trying to get to the bottom of this problem because we all agree that the situation at the school is dire. We are committing ourselves to get a solution to this problem,” said Education spokesperson Howard Ndaba.

“As the department we take accountability and we want to take this opportunity to apologise to the community, to the teachers, learners, and parents for the delay in this. Our learners should be back at school latest on Monday (22/7).”

“We want to also show that we are committed to improving safety at this school, in the schooling environment, for our learners, teachers, and the staff in our district.” 

Learners are locked outside the premises of Thato Secondary School. Picture: SABC.

On the premises, about 20 mobile classrooms were delivered, but according to Ndaba, those can’t be used because when it rains the structures sink. “This issue was not brought to the attention of the department but now that we are aware, we want to zoom into it and find a solution.”

HOD of Education Tsoarelo Malakoane has committed that by next week a contractor will start with the construction of brick-and-mortar classrooms at the school.

SABC News reports parents took a stand in halting all academic activities until their demands for a safer learning environment are met. They’re calling for urgent refurbishments to the school, citing unsafe conditions for their children.

An opening in the ceiling can be seen in one of the classrooms. Picture: SABC.

The school was closed and declared unsafe in 2018 by the Department of Labour.

“We want learners to be back in school, but we want them to be back in a safe and conducive learning environment. We agree that this environment is not conducive to learning.”

“The mobile classes at the school do not have electricity and thus cannot be used by teachers and learners, the HOD has also committed to bringing in VIP ablution services for staff and learners whilst theirs is still being fixed.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg/mvh