Squeeze is on as children outnumber chairs

This bathroom is an indication of the problems facing Sipho Hashe Comprehensive School

The school opened seven years ago when two primary schools – Zikweni and Mathodlana – merged to form one school using the building of Mathodlana primary school. To date no furniture has been delivered by the Department of Education.

"Each class has about 30 learners, those who are lucky to get a chairs during the first period have to carry them the whole day as they change periods from one class to another,” said school teacher Nokuzola Mabeqa, who is also a member of the School Governing Body.

"Those who can’t find a chair or desk have to sit on the floor, making it difficult for them to write their notes. We also experience a lot of disturbance during teaching time as one learner will report that they cannot see the board because she or he is obstructed by another learner who is seating on a chair or table.”

Mabeqa said that after the merger the government had built five classes. The school initially had 16 classrooms and about 420 pupils. Now all the 700 pupils at the school need to occupy the 21 classes.

"We survive by asking for donations from private companies. We are still trying to market our school to private companies we hope that since it is named after one of the slain Pebco members companies might donate some of the items we need,” said Mabeqa.

At Thembelihle Comprehensive School in New Brighton, the principal would not speak to The Herald team, but pupils said some classrooms did not have windows or doors.

"So in winter we are forced to steal windows and doors from other classrooms, anything that will make our class warm,” said one of the pupils.

"The teachers know about this and sometimes encourage us to go and steal tables for them as well.
"I do not know why they will not admit that there is a shortage in school equipment. I came to the school four years ago and have not seen any new chairs or tables”, she said.

At Pendla Primary School in New Brighton, many children fall off their broken chairs daily as most seats and desks are loose.

Pupils say they have to be careful when sitting down or standing up as the desk might fall on them or chairs tear their uniforms.
"Some of our pupils have to sit on the floor,” said teacher Makhaya Thabe.

"Sometimes they get sick and we sent them home, there’s really nothing we can do. Every year we apply for furniture but government does not supply us.”

A Chapman High School teacher said his Gelvandale school had a shortage of about 300 desks.

He said they had written to the education department about the issue on numerous, but to no avail.
"The school fee is R800 for the whole year, but our collection rate is just 30%,” he said. This was because most pupils came from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Education spokesman Loyiso Phulumani said schools were given a budget each year and should spend the money on things that were needed most.

"Most of the schools do not know how to use the budget allocated to them. They prioritise things that are not necessary for the school,” he said.
Additional reporting by Luyolo Mkentane