By Everson Luhanga
- The Democratic Alliance says classrooms have 50 to 60 learners each. Some mobile classrooms have no electricity or proper windows.
- Sergio Isa Dos Santos from the Democratic Alliance said learners rush to class every morning to grab chairs or desks.
Learners at Reiger Park Secondary School in Gauteng are standing during lessons because the school has run out of chairs and desks.
More than 2,300 learners are trying to learn at the school. The classrooms are packed with too few chairs and desks. Each classroom has between 50 and 60 learners. Many learners have nowhere to sit during lessons.
The Democratic Alliance made an oversight visit to the school. Sergio Isa Dos Santos is the DA shadow education member. He said some learners are standing during lessons. He said this creates an unacceptable learning space for children.
Dos Santos said learners arrive early every morning. They rush to class to try to grab a chair or desk before they run out.
He said many learners are placed in mobile classrooms at the school. Some of these mobile classrooms have little or no furniture. Some have no electricity. In many cases they have no proper windows.
Dos Santos said this shows neglect by the Gauteng Department of Education. The DA called on Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane to urgently deal with the overcrowding at the school. It also called on him to deal with the furniture shortage.
Dos Santos said the problem is not only at Reiger Park Secondary School. He said overcrowding and infrastructure backlogs are affecting schools across Gauteng.
The DA said a DA-led provincial government would improve planning for schools across the province. It would buy furniture on time. It would make sure mobile classrooms meet basic safety and electricity standards.
Pictured above: Overcrowded classroom at Reiger Park Secondary School.
Image source: Supplied
