BY OBAKENG MAJE
PARENTS of Gelukspan village outside Mahikeng in the North West are angry and demand answers from department of education and sports development as they are not happy with the building of Regomoditswe primary school in their area.

Parents are claiming that the building is dilapidating and unsafe for their kids. It is said that five years ago renovation was done at the school but that did not help.

According to parents they have been writing letters to the department requesting that extra classes be built or be given mobile classes since 1999. The department of labour inspector allegedly visited the school two weeks back and as a results, block B which consists of grade R,1,2,6, administration staff room and the school kitchen were closed after the inspection.

Only three classes are working so far and learners had to rotate while others play outside, now parents are against the plan by the department to renovate the building and instead they want it to be demolished and be built from scratch.

Modiegi Mooki, has two kids attending at the school, she told the TDN that they want the department to do what is right to resolve the situation,

“Renovations will not be helpful, and as such we demand they demolish the building and bring mobile classes in the meantime” she said.

North west department of education and sports development Elias Malindi confirmed that the school building is dilapidated as it is old, but has urge parents to not panic as they are working around the clock to resolve the situation.

“An alternative plan to place learners elsewhere for safety is been discussed, we have appointed a contract who will work hand-in-hand with our inspectors to ensure that the process goes well, and we are confident. We also appeal to our learners at school to look after this infrastructure” said Malindi.

A member of the school governing body said they are aware that the reports made by the civil engineers recommended that the building must be demolished as it is not safe, and they together with parents does not expect the department to compromise the lives of their kids.

Another local resident Thabo Molopyane said the appointment of the contract should be reviewed because they suspect that proper channels might not have been followed.

“We want the department to look into such matters too. The parent also alleged that the school has no records that shows that the contractor has visited the school for inspection before , and they were surprised that on the 08th of June the contractor showed up with commitment letter to do the renovations,” he said.

The school roofing is said to be leaking, windows are closed with boxes, walls are cracking and toilets are also not flashing.

“This building is too old and the cracks start from the foundation, which clearly shows that our kids are not safe as the building may collapse” said a member of SGB.
-TDN
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