The Limpopo Department of Basic Education did not seem to keep their promise to deliver mobile classrooms to Maswie Secondary School by February this year after all. This commitment was made last year after the Tshakhuma branch of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) had raised the issue with the department. The school's Grade 10 learners were especially affected by the lack of classroom space.
In the previous report by Limpopo Mirror on the situation at the school last year, 77 Grade 10 learners were already sharing a single classroom. Subjects such as social sciences, mathematics and physical science were conducted outside, under the trees. This year, the Grade 10 class stands at 106 learners, who all have to be squeezed into one classroom.
Mr Joel Mulaudzi, the secretary of SANCO Tshakhuma, said that they were very disappointed when they followed up on progress for the mobile classrooms with the Vhembe West Education Department on Monday, 20 February. "When we raised this same issue of a need for mobile classrooms last year, the department promised to start delivering the mobile classrooms in February this year. Now they have extended it to April this year. The situation is dire, as the enrolment this year has increased considerably. The school is also in need of more desks and chairs," he said.
"The future of our children is being compromised. We do not know what to do anymore. If there are any mobile classrooms that are not in use at any of the schools in the province, we request the department to deliver them to our school as the situation is not conducive for the learners," he added.
Mr Mike Maringa, spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Basic Education, said the roll-out of mobile classrooms was starting at Lwaphungu Secondary School this week (20 February) and extended to other schools in need. Schools will be contacted by their district circuit education offices when their orders are ready.