Do they have something to hide?

One of the most heartbreaking events of the past few weeks was the tragedy that unfolded at Hoërskool Driehoek at Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal Triangle.

I can’t even imagine what the parents, school and learners are going through. As I listened to the stories the community recounted about that fateful day, I got goosebumps all over. Despite all the financial support the school has been receiving, life for them and the community will never be the same again. My heart goes out to each learner, parent and school staff member as they try to come to terms with the events.

The maintenance and structural problems at Hoërskool Driehoek are not unique. When we tried to bring the serious structural damage at a local high school to our readers’ attention, the Record was slated, some saying that we should leave the school alone, that it is a good school and they don’t deserve the negative publicity.

I would like to assure our readers that it is not about the school. It is about the safety of the learners, your children.

We know it’s a good school, we know the principal and teachers give it their all to educate the learners on a daily basis and that the structural damage is not due to the principal being negligent. It is due to the school not being maintained by the Department of Education. It is their job to ensure that your child is safe at school.

The last thing we want is a tragedy on home turf.

Why did the Department of Education stop us from entering the premises? Do they have something to hide? The school also refused us entry, but from what I understand it was per the Department’s instruction.

Before you get upset with the newspaper journalist, please understand that we are doing our jobs, and that our jobs entail highlighting issues that will or might, in the long run, have an effect or impact on the community.

Hats off to the particular school that, despite the challenges it faces, continues to be one of the top schools in Roodepoort. I certainly hope that the structural issues can be addressed sooner rather than later. Our children deserve education in a safe environment.

Until next week, take care of one another.