North West Legislature Education Committee expressed shock and disappointment at appalling conditions of Mphe-Bana Secondary School
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education and Sports Development, Arts, Culture and Traditional affairs has expressed disappointment at the state and conditions of Mphe-Bana Secondary School. The Committee visited the school after media reports highlighted challenges of overcrowding, shortage of furniture for learners, dysfunctional toilets and security.
According to the Area Manager of Kgetleng Area Office, Dr. Benjamin Molokoe, the no-fee secondary school was initially planned to accommodate 650 learners but currently, the learner enrolment is at 1690 with fourty-eight (48) educators with three (3) vacancies for two (2) deputy principals and one (1) head of department. Learners are ranging from 78 – 133 per class.
“The overcrowding is mainly caused by the fact that Mphe-Bana is the only secondary school in the township including informal settlements around Koster. There are two primary schools in the area who are also overcrowded as a result a third one is under construction. All these primary schools are feeding Mphe-Bana as it is the only English medium school around the area.
“A contractor is appointed to renovate the school toilets. The department will engage with other stakeholders such as Vuselela College for additional chairs and tables,” said Dr. Molokoe.
Although the department will be providing four (4) mobile classes; ten (10) VIP toilets, there is a shortage of desks and chairs, learners are sitting in pairs of four per table while others are being taught while standing. There is a shortage of 509 desks and 442 chairs. The department has managed to secure 100 chairs and 100 desks but 60 of those are for pre-school learners.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Boitumelo Moiloa said the school is in a serious crisis and needs immediate intervention from the department. “The department should come-up with measurable long term solutions that address the current challenges of the school including shortage of critical positions of the two (2) of deputy principals. Outstanding mobile classes should be accompanied by proper desks and chairs.
“We are happy with efforts of the school management even though they are working under these dire circumstances. The school has done well on matric results by acquiring 85,96% in 2015,” said Hon. Moiloa.
The Chairperson also immediately sent a message to the Head of the Department, Dr Itumeleng Molale, with an instruction that by Monday 1 February all learners at the school should be having desks and chairs. The Committee has also summoned the department to appear in a meeting on Tuesday 2 February at 18h00 at Tlokwe Local Municipality, venue will be confirmed later.
For more information:
Namhla Luhabe
Deputy Manager - Communications
Cell: on 079 527 0628
Tel: (018) 392 7000
Fax: 086 695 3784
Email: namhla@nwpl.org.za
