It’s been a week since Thato Secondary School in Botshabelo was closed down by parents, staff, and SGB members who picketed outside the school gates.

Learning and teaching resumed at the school on Tuesday (23/7) when learners returned to school. They’ll use a rotational system where only three classes will be used for teaching.

The Department of Employment and Labour closed down the school on Friday (19/7) after an inspection conducted by the department’s inspectorate regarding the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

“Our key focus is to make sure that our learners are safe," said FS Department of Education spokesperson, Howard Ndaba. Picture: Bloemfontein Courant

“We had a fruitful meeting with our colleagues from the Department of Labour, we have agreed that learners will use three classrooms, starting on Tuesday whilst the fixing of the mobile classrooms is continuing,” said Education spokesperson Howard Ndaba.

“In the meantime, we will try to fast-track the process so that we can fix everything that has been noted by the Department of Labour, but at least we agreed that learning and teaching should resume.

“Our key focus is to make sure that our learners are safe, but also that we don’t miss learning and teaching. Our meeting went well and we cordially discussed these issues,” he said.

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

The reason for the closure of the school by the labour department is due to unsafe electrical installation, mobile classrooms that are not stable on the ground and broken ablution facilities.

The facility was found in 2021 to be non-compliant with some provisions of the OHS Act, the Department of Education was subsequently issued with a prohibition notice as the inspectors found that some classrooms were not in a condition to be occupied due to cracks in the walls, falling ceilings and light fittings.

A follow-up inspection was conducted in January 2023, and it was found the department had implemented corrective measures concerning the prohibition notice that was issued in 2021. However, inspectors determined that some of the classrooms that were rendered safe for occupation in 2021 were in a dilapidated condition and posed a safety hazard.

OFM News reported on Tuesday and Wednesday (16/17) that teachers, parents, and SGB members closed down the school because it was dangerous for the staff and learners.

“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,” said Ndaba

“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.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg