VIDEO: Old schools shut down
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PROTEST: Pupils, parents and staff demand new school for Parkwood. PHOTO: SUPPLIED. PROTEST: Pupils, parents and staff demand new school for Parkwood. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
The community of Parkwood shut down three primary schools on Thursday in a bid to get the Western Cape Education Department to upgrade the buildings which are more than 50 years old.
Over a hundred parents, pupils and residents protested outside Parkwood Primary School in the pouring rain.
The community shut down Parkwood, Montagu’s Gift and Hyde Park primary schools and wants the facilities to be revamped.
They handed over a memorandum to the director of Metro Central District for Education, demanding the three schools be rebuilt this year, and that a new committee be formed to give them feedback within seven days.
Pastor Paul Phillips, who handed over the memorandum, says the schools have poor and outdated infrastructure, like asbestos roofs, and pose a health risk to pupils.
Parkwood Primary is also overcrowded and currently has over 700 pupils, although it should ideally accommodate 400, and the library and staffroom have been converted into classrooms.
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“Parkwood Primary school is 57 years old,” Pastor Phillips says.
“Post-1994, there have been no structural changes, even after a proposal and plans were submitted by principals.
“Parkwood Primary’s roof is made out of asbestos and it’s about to fall apart.
“Windows are welded closed and there is no ventilation and children have to walk in dams of water during winter, and there is no school hall.”
PETITION: Pastor Paul Phillips hands over the memorandum. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, says all three schools have been placed on their list for reconstruction, but says it will take time.
The department has a R400 million a year budget to upgrade schools.
“The WCED has and will continue to engage with the School Governing Body (SGB).
INVEST: Learner stands with poster. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
“An assessment of the school buildings will also take place.
“We cannot, however, be forced into placing these schools at the top of our replacement list when there are more immediate concerns to consider.
“The WCED has a 10-year infrastructure plan that has taken into account the demand and supply of education infrastructure across the whole province.
INFRASTRUCTURE: Old school buildings are falling apart. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
“The WCED is aware that some of our schools are built with inappropriate materials. That is why we are, in addition to maintenance programmes and building new schools, trying to replace these structures completely with brick and mortar schools.
“Since 2012, we have replaced 65 ‘plankie schools’ in the province.”