HUNDREDS of underprivileged Patensie-learners have to endure dilapidated classrooms and inadequate infrastructure, while a newly-built state-of-the-art school has been unoccupied – for over a year.
And the school is deteriorating by the day.
The rugby field and other parts of the premises are overgrown with weeds, and white paint is peeling from the netball court.
The school, built by the Department of Education as part of the national Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) programme, had been in the pipeline since May 2014, at an initial cost of R49 million and a 35-month construction timeline.
According to Sipho Miggels, Chief Education Specialist in Human Resource Development and Labour Relations in the Sarah Baartman District, the multi-million Rand school will be open to learners for the 2021 academic year – almost four years after the initial opening date.
Although the work was completed at the end of 2019, the keys to the school were handed over to the Department only six months ago – once all contractors were paid and the electricity connection was finalised.
Further delays are caused by a lack of a name for the school, adequate scholar transport and the appointment of a principal.
According to Miggels, the process to appoint a principal will commence in November this year.
“After all the delays, the Department should have worked as fast as possible to open the school,” says DA Shadow MEC for Education, Yusuf Cassim, who conducted an oversight inspection at the school last week with Sarah Baartman District Municipality DA Councillor, Henni Britz.
“These delays have a serious impact on the ability of the school to take on learners for the 2021 academic year. It is unacceptable that learners should be deprived of these improved facilities for another year.
“I will continue to fight for learners to ensure they have access to dignified learning conditions.”
New school
The eco-friendly school is set to benefit approximately 450 learners from four farm schools in the area: De Mistkraal Primary School, Andrieskraal Primary School, Du Preez Primary School and Cockscomb Primary School.
It consists of 14 classrooms, a science laboratory, store room, multi-purpose room, work room, media centre, dining room and club house. It boasts several offices, ablution facilities, sick rooms, a pastoral room, reception area and water tanks.
The Grade R-learners have their own block and jungle gym.
