THERE are 1 200 learners cramped behind a fence looking out of the window at this beautiful, promised new building, new school, new playground with beautiful kitchens – but a fence stands between them and the promised land.
These were the words of the DA’s spokesperson on public works in the Eastern Cape, Vicky Knoetze, as she presented the School Readiness Programme together with Yusuf Cassim, DA spokesperson on education in the Eastern Cape and Marshall Roberto von Buchenroder, DA spokesperson on roads and transport in the Eastern Cape at Jubilee Park Primary School located in Uitenhage.
Since the start of the school year DA representatives have visited over 100 schools in the Eastern Cape as part of their intervention programme for schools in the province.
Knoetze who has been driving the issues faced by Jubilee Park Primary since part of the school burnt down in 2013 said, the learners have not been able to access the new school building which should have been completed in 2016.
In 2014 the Department of Public Works was appointed by the Department of Education as an implementing agent to build a new school for Jubilee Park Primary.
Public Works then appointed Transtruct Building And Civil Contractors to refurbish the school and build new classrooms.
The contractors have since downed their tools and are demanding R 2.5 million from the Department of Education before they continue with the project.
The initial budget for the project was R 77 million but R 89 million was spent to date.
Cassim said, during the inspection of schools in the province he found recurring themes that were not unexpected and need to be addressed.
He said they have found over 50 unfinished infrastructure projects right across the province.
In the case of Jubilee Park Primary Cassim said since 2013 1200 pupils have been confined to small spaces.
“Learners are still being taught in temporary classrooms, where they have been subjected to a double shift schooling system since 2013, meaning the average classroom time has been limited to just three hours per child, per day,” he said.
Owing to lack of space, the Grade R to grade three have lessons in the morning while the grade four to grade seven pupils have lessons in the afternoon.
The learners are taught in eight temporary classrooms while the teachers have to prepare for lessons and mark test papers in their cars because the staff room is too small.
Cassim said the DA will be calling for a full forensic investigation into the construction of new classrooms and school hall at the Jubilee Park Primary.
“We must ensure that our children in the Eastern Cape are receiving the best education. Quality education is the key to improved quality of life. It empowers individuals to obtain a fulfilling job, contribute to the economy and utilise their talents to the full,” he said.
