JEFFREYS BAY – Learners at Pellsrus Primary School in Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, are enduring a sanitation nightmare, with all 1,200 pupils forced to share just six toilets after a R2 million bathroom renovation project was brought to a halt when contractors allegedly disappeared from the site.
According to Vivian Van Eyck, Chairperson of the School Governing Body, the renovation contract, which began in 2024, was originally scheduled for completion in February this year after Pellsrus Primary was identified as one of several schools requiring urgent bathroom renovations.
However, Van Eyck revealed that contractors appointed by The Mvula Trust have allegedly abandoned the project despite having R700,000 remaining from the original R2 million contract.
“They have not even completed half of the work,” said Van Eyck.
“Some of the work that still needs to be completed includes the installation of new tiles, ceilings, toilets, urinals and sinks.”
Before construction began, the school had adequate facilities with 17 toilets for boys and 19 for girls.
Once work commenced, Van Eyck said that learners were left with a drastically reduced number, just three portable toilets each for boys and girls.
The school’s frustration reached a breaking point when a young female learner developed a bladder infection, highlighting the serious health implications of the inadequate facilities.
Van Eyck further said that since learners stand in long queues waiting, many have urinated on themselves.
“The learners often tease each other when someone urinates on themselves,” said Van Eyck.
Van Eyck emphasised the need for local involvement in the project’s completion, advocating for contractors from the Pellsrus community.
“We want the head contractor and the workers to be from the Pellsrus community so that we can easily approach these individuals when there is trouble during the construction process,” said Van Eyck.
Following a meeting on September 5 among the school, the Department of Education, and The Mvula Trust, some improvements have been made.
Van Eyck said that the rubbish surrounding the construction site has been removed, water tanks have been secured, and The Mvula Trust has provided six additional portable toilets with flushing systems.
The Kouga Municipality has also recently supplied portable toilets to help alleviate the crisis.
Van Eyck further said that the department indicated that construction is expected to resume on 22 September, and he hopes that the project will be completed in time for the new school year.
“We want the school to start on a good foot in the new year,” explained Van Eyck.
When approached for comment, The Mvula Trust referred all questions to the Department of Education.
The Eastern Cape Department of Education was approached for comment on 11 September, but no response was received by the time of publication.
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