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Broken ablution blocks at a Primary School in Johannesburg.
The Gauteng Education Department says it cannot rush to build new schools while there are some which remain unused for educational purposes.
The Department has identified at least seventeen decommissioned schools across the province that it intends to refurbish and re-use.
At least eighty schools in Gauteng have ceased to operate due to low learner numbers or poor infrastructure, among others.
Igugu Primary School in Mofolo, Soweto, is among the decommissioned schools earmarked for refurbishment.
The school closed down due to low learner numbers, and it has since disintegrated.
The community is torn on whether the department should revive the school to its former glory.
“This school closed down because there were few learners. I think they can revamp it for something else, but not for teaching and learning, because we take our children to schools in other areas”, said one community member.
Another community member says, “Children attend schools that are further away because this one closed down. We would be happy if this school were fixed so that children can come to learn more closely.”
Thesele Secondary School in Moroka North, Soweto, is now a shadow of its former self.
The closure of the school turned it into a business hub.
Some community members fix cars there and have sewing and welding businesses.
Those using the school – like Collen Selema – have welcomed the department’s decision to reclaim it – but with conditions.
“We are part of a committee which has been taking care of this school for more than 20 years. We are the reason the school has not been vandalised. So, if the government wants to renovate this school, it must consider us because we can offer a lot of skills.”
Bagomane Primary School in Diepkloof, Soweto, is another headache for the department.
While it has not been earmarked for refurbishment and re-use for now, the department is still unhappy that it has turned into a housing complex.
Those living there are ready to move only if they are given alternative accommodation.
They have to take us somewhere; we can’t just get up and go. We need to go somewhere that is safe for us and our kids.”
“I understand that the government needs schools, and I know the reason why they need schools. We didn’t come here because we want to and we are provoking the government, we really need houses.”
Currently, Gauteng needs at least two hundred new schools to deal with overcrowded classrooms.
Education MEC Lebogang Maile believes that the redevelopment of some eighty decommissioned schools could help solve the crisis.
“At this point, where we are sitting at 64% overcrowding in the system, it doesn’t make sense to use schools for any other purpose. We can’t rush into building new schools when we have schools that could be utilised. That is why the process is about determining which schools we can recommission; how much we need before we can rush into building.”
The MEC has sought to allay fears of those utilising the old school buildings for skills development – saying they will be allowed to continue on condition that they do not interrupt learning and teaching.
