The North West Department of Education has been critisised for the dilapidated state of Maano Secondary School in Masutlhe 2 near Mahikeng.
The school’s roof, which was already in poor condition, was blown away by the severe winds on Wednesday.
School Governing Body chairperson, Malefatshe Seiphepi, said pupils had no option but to utilize the school before it was swept away by the wind.
“The school was not in good condition even before the Wednesday incident. But learners have been attending there, despite the danger that the buildings might fall on them and injure them because we had no choice.
“We were elected last year as SGB members. But according to the records that we found in the school. The school was supposed to have been renovated in the year 2021. But because of the delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it did not happen,” Seiphepi said.
Masutlhe 2 ward Councilor, Tshepiso Motshabi, said the provincial education department had ignored pleas for assistance.
“We have been engaging with the department, asking them to come and see how the school building structures were falling apart. We called them to come and see how learners were at the risk of getting injured. But they did not act. I’m asking myself if the department is waiting to see an incident whereby a child would die from injuries accumulated at school because of the dilapidating buildings? It’s very frustrating and disappointing that in this democracy, learners in rural areas are deprived of their right to education,” Motshabi said.
Meanwhile, Provincial education spokesperson, Elias Malindi, said experts were still assessing damage at the school.
“The district is in the process of sending experts to go and assess the level of damages at the school. It is only then that they will give us a recommendation of whether the school is supposed to get minor or major renovations after conducting assessments,” said Malindi.