Community members from Mizamoyethu Senior Secondary School in Engcobo rolled up their sleeves and built four more classrooms, with the aim of trying to help their children who are crammed into dilapidated temporary structures in this school.
One of the parents, Fezile Ntabeko, said that they were proud that their school obtained 83.5 percent in matric results last year, even though they did not have proper classrooms.
He confirmed that the community built this school in 1995, after they saw that their children were struggling because they had to travel long distances to schools in other areas.
“We built five classrooms in 1995; then the government gave us temporary structures in 2005 but now they are very old and are dangerous to our children and teachers,” said Ntabeko.
The traditional leader, Chief Zwelodumo Mtirara, confirmed that they were busy building more classrooms for their community because the number of learners had increased.
He said that they are targeting 100 percent this year, which will attract more learners again next year.
“We have realised that the department is taking time to build schools; that is why we decided to do something instead of sitting with our arms folded. In fact, we are the ones who started this school from scratch because we were tired of our learners having to walk long distances,” said Mtirara.
He confirmed that they were still asking for help from different people, including the Ngcobo Local Municipality, who promised to assist them with the roofing.
Spokesperson for the Education Department, Mali Mtima, said that fencing is underway at the school and modular classrooms are currently being delivered.
“The department spent R1.6 million and delivered three classrooms and water tanks completed on July 10, 2014,” said Mtima.
“The school was assessed by the Department of Public Works, and requires R22.3 million to replace.”
