The schools need some serious repairs
The Minster was shocked to see the conditions of some of these schools and to hear the challenges faced by the educators.
Some of the Schools in Ward 71 received a visit from the Shadow Minister of Infrastructure Development Alan Fuchs and he was not pleased with what he saw.
Fuchs and Ward 71 councillor, René Benjamin, visited some of the schools in the ward to assess the infrastructure problems faced at the schools. Fuchs was shocked to see the conditions at some of these schools and to hear the challenges faced by the educators and the conditions facing the learners.
According to Benjamin, Roodepoort Primary School’s main concern was a poor drainage system which often blocks up and floods into the grounds of the school. The decaying gutters and the leaking downpipes on the roof were of great concern to the Vice Principal, Martie van Wyk. Termites and tree roots as well as broken prefab classes that desperately need repainting, were some of the other concerns raised. Along with this, the large patches of sand that become mud pits when it rains were brought to their attention.
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At Princess Primary School, the Vice Principal, Gary George, walked Fuchs and Benjamin through the school grounds and showed them the repairs needed by the school and issues experienced at the school. “There are a number of areas with rusting and decaying gutters and damaged downpipes, the boiler which is the heating system for the school is in need of a service, and these are just some of the issues of concern. The outdoor seating on the school’s field has at least recently been repaired,” said Benjamin.
Benjamin stated that Hoërskool Die Adelaar’s Principal, Andries Walters, showed them the leaking pipes on the roof, the rusted window frames which cause the cement above the windows to crumble and the paint to blister. Cracking walkways are a major safety concern, as are missing tiles on the walkways which could cause tripping and related injuries. Some of the classroom doors are pulling away from their hinges, there is uneven flooring and loose tiles, ceilings show clear signs of water damage, and the stairs at the office are also in need of repairs.
Fuchs will address these issues with the Education Department’s infrastructure division to ensure that they get attended to.Fuchs will also join Benjamin on a further tour through the remaining four schools in the ward, namely Princess High School, Laerskool Lantern, Laerskool Dr Havinga, Laerskool Roodebeeck and Laerskool Culembeeck Primary School at a later date.
There is a plea for donations of the following items as the schools just cannot afford to attend to these needs:
– Metal preparation tables for Roodepoort and Princess Primary Schools
– The feeding scheme kitchen requires utensils and bowls for soup or breakfast, plastic plates, cutting boards and knives for chopping
– Fire extinguisher servicing and replacement of firehose reel covers that are badly decayed and damaged
– Striker plates for the doors that are rusted and decayed to the point that doors no longer close, making those classes vulnerable to break-ins
– Plastic taps (the metal taps get stolen)
– Garden equipment such as spades, rakes and shovels (the groundskeepers are working with very old tools)
– Paint for the prefab classes at Roodepoort Primary
– Paint (red and blue) for the balconies at Princess Primary
All donations will be deeply appreciated. Aspiring donors can contact councillor Benjamin on 072 263 6496, or via WhatsApp messages to 076 363 5584, or emails to rene@ward71.joburg.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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