Members of the Mfuleni Education Forum Task Team handed over a memorandum outlining their grievances to officials from the Western Cape Department of Education’s Metro North District outside Mfuleni High School on Monday, 23 March.

Call for permanent buildings and improved school infrastructure in Mfuleni

Among their key demands is the construction of permanent school structures in Mfuleni. The forum highlighted several schools currently operating in temporary facilities, including Fairdale Primary, Parliament Primary, Mfuleni Technical High School, Bardale Primary, Bardale Secondary School, Fairdale 1 High School and Fairdale 2 High School.

Officials given 14 days to respond to Mfuleni school infrastructure demands

The memorandum was received by Metro North District Sector Manager, John Matiso, who committed to providing a response within the 14 days stipulated in the document. He said the concerns would be forwarded to senior officials within the department for consideration.

Forum Task Team coordinator, Etheline Tyakume, said their main concern is ensuring that learners have access to proper learning environments.

Overcrowding worsens Mfuleni education challenges

She added that most primary schools in the area are overcrowded due to the growing population.“Bardale Primary has been operating in temporary structures for 20 years. Parliament Primary School has been in temporary structures for 12 years.

“Bardale High School has been operating for 16 years, while Fairdale 1 and Fairdale 2 high schools have been established for five years. Mfuleni Technical High School has only been operating for three years,” said Tyakume. She also called on the department to build a school of skills, establish libraries and deploy social workers to assist learners with social challenges. She further called on the department to employ security guards to safeguard schools at night, citing ongoing vandalism by criminals.

SANCO backs calls to fix Mfuleni school infrastructure

Regional secretary of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), Mzingisi Gxukwana, said the organisation fully supports the Mfuleni Education Forum Task Team. He emphasised that learners have the right to study in a safe and conducive environment.

He criticised the department for delays in building permanent school infrastructure.

Community demands libraries, social workers and safer schools

“The population in Mfuleni is growing every day. The construction of houses must go hand in hand with the development of essential services such as schools, libraries, clinics and police stations. As SANCO, we will monitor the process, and if the department fails to respond within the stipulated period, action will be taken,” said Gxukwana.