North West Legislature Committee on Education shocked over damaged building of Ntokwe Primary School in Taung
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education and Sports Development, Arts, Culture and Traditional affairs has expressed shock over the damaged property of Ntokwe Primary School in Mokgareng near Taung. This came after the Committee visited the school after being alerted by the school management that heavy thunderstorms and winds damaged the entire school property on the afternoon of Thursday, 14 January 2016.
During the week of 13-15 January 2016, Members of the Provincial Legislature embarked on oversight visits to schools across the four districts of the North West Province to assess the schools’ readiness for 2016 and challenges that they are facing.
The Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Hon. Boitumelo Moiloa said the Committee is saddened by the disaster as it halted the learning and teaching and management of the school.
“The Committee is currently engaging with the Department of Education and Sports Development to ensure that learners, teachers, school’s administration and equipment are safely relocated to neighbouring schools including Mmamalebana Middle School’s building which is currently not used as the school merged with Mokgareng High School. The disaster has also affected the school’s electricity resulting on the alarm system not working.
“We will also liaise with the district office of the department to secure expensive equipment at the computer lab and laboratory,” said Hon. Moiloa.
Major challenges in other schools in the province includes shortage of Mathematics and Physical Science teachers in Grade 10-12, were in some instances are foreign teachers whose contracts with the department has expired and are awaiting contract renewals; burglaries and vandalism in schools due to lack of security; Schools’ Post Provisioning Model not allowing more teachers in certain schools and non-functionality of school governing body’s sub-committees.
At Seile Primary School and Kgosietsile-Lethola Secondary School in Taung, the Committee could not check the schools’ readiness for 2016 due to community members’ protests who accused the school managements of mismanagement and maladministration of funds.
The Principal of St Pauls’ High School, Ms. Goitumetswe Nyoni said the school has a serious problem of overcrowding and shortage of classrooms.
“The school building is very old and we had to use one of the physical science laboratories as an additional classroom. We have been engaging with the owners of the school building, Roman Catholic Church to assist on renovating the entire school property,” said Ms. Nyoni.
The Principal of Michael Modikeng Secondary School, Mr. Tshwenyego Mokhukwane said there is a serious challenge of overaged learners who cannot be transferred to orbit schools due to financial challenge.
“Many parents complained that they cannot afford transport to Brits where the obit school is located. There has been lots of burglaries and vandalism in the school and on certain instances, leaners were found in possession of dangerous weapons,” said Mr. Tshwenyego.
Hon. Moiloa said the department must urgently attend to all major infrastructural challenges and resolve the foreign educators matter which has affected teaching and learning in many schools.
“The Committee will regularly engage the department on the shortage of teachers as we witnessed many Maths and Physical Science classes without teachers. The department must also fix damaged classrooms as they pose a serious health and physical danger to teachers and learners,” said Hon. Moiloa.
The Committee will engage the department on its findings in the near future.
For more information, contact:
Ms Namhla Luhabe
Cell: 079 527 0628
