While the number of learners enrolling at Elim Secondary School keeps growing, the school is facing a serious shortage of classrooms and flushing toilets. The management of the school voiced this concern to the MEC for CoGHSTA, Mr Basikopo Makamu, during the Back-to-School campaign visit on Wednesday, 11 January.
MEC Makamu also visited other schools such as Muthuhadini Combined School and Masindi Primary School. He was accompanied by local leaders and councillors, such as Ms Joyce Simangwe, Makhado PR councillor Ms Itani Tshidavhu and others. Makamu said that he noticed the concern surrounding infrastructure at all the schools.
Mr Oupa Ndhima, the school governing body (SGB) chairperson, said they had tried to escalate the matter of the shortage of classrooms to other relevant departments before, but with no outcome.
"It has been four years since we also went to the premier's office, and it was just a promise which has never been fulfilled. Toilets are also not enough because we have more than 1 800 learners, with only three flushing toilets for boys and three for girls, while the others are pit toilets," he said.
Makamu monitored the school's infrastructure and said that he would take the matter up with the cabinet. "I have seen that the infrastructure of both schools is not the best that we think we should have as a government. The department has already committed to refurbishing the school," he said.
Makamu said education was everybody's business and a societal issue, and that they had a programme that had been developed by the provincial government to play their role in motivating learners. "Hence, all premiers, MECs, members of legislature, mayors and councillors are trying to motivate our learners," he said.
He advised parents to also help their children with their schoolwork and studies at home. "Be supportive of your children by reducing some of their home chores to give them enough time to study, and always check their books," he said.