By OBAKENG MAJE
Some of the parents urge the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, to address asbestos challenges in various schools across the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. They alleged that most of the school buildings are made up of asbestos and that pose health risks to learners and teachers at large.
School Governing Body (SGB) chairperson at Vaaloewer Combined School in Bloemhof, Johannes Joseph said their school building contains asbestos and they have requested the department to address that matter, but their plea fell in deaf ears.
“We urge the department to ensure that buildings that contain asbestos are demolished. This exposes hundreds pupils and teachers to serious health risks. If these asbestos structures become dilapidated, fibres are released into the air and if inhaled, they can cause deadly respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma,” he said.
Another parent said they experienced the same challenges at Charon Primary School in Schweizer Reneke.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said they are in a process of replacing school buildings with asbestos across the province with appropriate building materials.
“I must indicate that during my last financial year speech, I was very clear in terms of getting rid of the asbestos in schools. Those schools have been identified and we have received a report on a monthly basis.
“We have taken this particular project to IDP for implementation on behalf of us. We have received a positive report and remember, there are processes that we should go through before we can determine whether the school materials are made of asbestos or not,” she said.
Motsumi further said she can confirm that the results are out and there are those affected schools that have been identified. She added that as a department, they have taken upon themselves because the health and safety of the learners is their priority.
“We have provided affected schools with mobile classrooms in the meantime, while we make means that we renovate those affected schools. Some of those schools will be demolished and then the department will ensure that it uses the right materials for their own health.
“So, there is progress registered and during my budget speech, we will capitalise on that. We will also give feedback to our communities and explain how far we are in terms of all schools that have been identified,” said Motsumi.
The Guardian 