Chaos erupted on the first day of the reopening of school on Wednesday, at Leokeng Primary School in Modderspruit near Brits, North West, when learners were sent back home, after allegedly failing to pay school fees and not contributing R200 towards the school’s donation kitty.
One of the parents, Nolile Kgomo said she was disappointed and heartbroken seeing her child crying because she was not admitted to the school.
“I had to console my child, she was looking forward to attending school but was unfortunately sent back. I don’t understand how a mere donation is the cause for the school to send my child back. I want the Department of Education to intervene as according to my knowledge, it is illegal. They had no mercy, nor sympathy,” she said.
But after the EFF held a meeting with the school principal, they issued a statement saying there was a miscommunication regarding the issue of donations.
On the issue of overcrowding, ward 27 EFF leader Serero Molapo said they were told the school has 150 pupils for grade 1 and only two classrooms to accommodate them.
“After receiving complaints from parents, we went to the school and met with the principal who told us that there was an agreement between the school management, stakeholders and parents that pamphlets of donations would be issued and learners would bring them on the first day of school, but no one said those who did not bring them back would be returned home. It seems there was a misunderstanding there.
“The principal has urged us as the party to assist them with the facilitation of getting assistance as it is very difficult for the school to accept more learners. The school does not have equipment, they do not have the capacity to accommodate our population.
“There’s no space to accommodate the Grade 7 and Grade 1 pupils. As we speak they have 150 grade 1 pupils, with two classrooms. It is very difficult for them to operate as they expect more learners,” said Molapo.
The affected parents voiced their displeasure at having to leave their children in overcrowded classrooms.
Daisy Leroke said overcrowding had a negative impact on the well-being of learners.and also affected their concentration in class.
”Imagine having to share a room with seventy-five learners in this heat, how are you expected to breathe let alone concentrate?
“It’s very hot and not healthy at all. You get to the classroom, it smells ampits, learners are squashed like sardines. This is a serious problem as even when the teacher is teaching some learners could not hear a thing.
“That’s why our kids repeat classes. Remember we still have the issue of Covid-19 in the country and learners have to be swamped in one classroom, very distasteful,’ said Leroke.
However, Doris Lengau had another take on the matter saying although she was pleased to take her children to school so they can gain knowledge, she feels that the department is failing them as parents with overcrowding issues.
She has urged schools to match the infrastructure they have to their capacity of learners they enroll.
The North West Department of Education Spokesperson Elias Malindi said they will investigate the matter.