The parents in the Rooiwal community blocked the entrance gate of Rooiwal Primary School in the Namakwa District on Monday, refusing to allow anyone to enter and voicing their grievances about the unsatisfactory conditions of the school.
Parents say that the school is not suitable for children to study in during the winter season, as it poses a threat to the pupils’ immune systems. Furthermore, the school administration and system are inadequate and dysfunctional, resulting in students falling behind in their studies, with some unable to read or comprehend the material at their grade level.
Rayna Klaaste, a parent of two pupils at the school, said that it was disheartening to see no improvement in the school, but rather a decline in the school’s infrastructure. “Since the start of the third academic term, our children have not had any educators present for their lessons. This puts our children at a disadvantage, depriving them of an education and knowledge,” said Klaaste. “The gates will remain closed until the department provides us with a promising response.”
During unscheduled visits to the school, parents have observed that the classrooms are disorderly and lack discipline due to the absence of teachers. They fear that this situation has led to bullying.
“The school lacks educators and resources, which places additional pressure on the existing teachers, and we acknowledge and appreciate their efforts,” said Christine Oortman. “We cannot continue like this; the department needs to have a plan. Though we may be in a rural district, we also require quality resources to prepare our children for further studies and careers outside their hometown.”
According to a reliable source, the school’s principal is rarely present on the premises, and for the remainder of the month, she is absent.
Desmoreen Kamanga, the School Governing Body chairperson, stated that the DoE district circuit manager, A.M. Engelbrecht, listened to the complaints and said he would respond to the parents.
The Northern Cape Department of Education has yet to address the parents’ grievances and provide a plan for the return of students to a normal academic schedule.
