Schools in territory battle

TWO Port Elizabeth schools operating from the same premises have found themselves forming battle lines. Parents, teachers and school governing body (SGB) members at Elumanyanweni Primary School and Renaissance Special School are based in one building in Zwide.

Elumanyanweni is calling for Renaissance, an early childhood development (ECD) centre for special needs children, to leave.

The tension reached boiling point three weeks ago when parents of children attending Elumanyanweni locked the school gates, preventing the Renaissance teachers from entering and leading to a scuffle.

Renaissance is a joint initiative by the Department of Social Development and the Department of Education, aimed at assisting pre-school pupils with learning disabilities in the townships.

However, Elumanyanweni SGB treasurer Noncedo Speelman said Renaissance operated from its premises but did not contribute to water, electricity or rent, despite collecting fees. Elumanyanweni is a no-fee school. “The former principal, Ms Gcakasi, told us Renaissance would be a feeder school to our school because we were losing numbers,” Speelman said.

“We thought it was a wonderful idea, but now they are refusing to let pupils come to our school.

“They have even started a Grade 1 class and we heard they want to start Grade 2 and Grade 3 next year.”