GQEBERHA – The New Brighton Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Primary School in Gqeberha says it is deeply concerned that it may be forced to close its doors for good, leaving learners and staff uncertain about their future.

The school says the 30-day eviction notice issued by the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has created fear and instability within the school community, with parents and teachers now unsure what will happen next.

As previously reported, the department issued the notice on 1 April following the conclusion of a procurement process to allocate the state-owned premises currently occupied by the school.

The site, which formerly housed Lwandlekazi Public School until its closure, has since been allocated to the Bantu Church of Christ after an open procurement process.

The department said the church was the only compliant bidder and that both the SDA school and the church had been occupying the property without valid lease agreements, rendering their occupation unlawful.

It also stated that the SDA school did not submit an expression of interest for the site.

However, the school disputes this version of events. Governing body chairperson, Sisa Kona-Mbilana, insists the school did apply for the property, arguing that they had already been operating from the site and naturally sought to remain there.

He says the situation has left the school community in distress.

“What will you do with the teachers at our school? This is a private Christian school,” he said. “What will happen to the teachers if the school is forced to close?”

Kona-Mbilana also questioned whether the department’s approach was fair to faith-based schools, saying parents were increasingly worried about the future of their children’s education.

“The MEC said she will look for schools for the children, which means they are planning to shut down our school,” he claimed. “We are very concerned. Parents don’t know the future of their kids.”

He added that the school community is struggling with uncertainty.

“We are praying and having sleepless nights and asking for an intervention.”

The school remains in limbo as it awaits further clarity on whether it will be allowed to remain on the premises or be forced to relocate within the 30-day notice period.

The PE Express has written to the office of the MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure for comment and is yet to receive a response.

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