Motherwell residents have taken an unprecedented step in securing a future for children in their area by building a “shack school” to accommodate hundreds of pupils in the community – some of whom have not set foot in a classroom this year.
About 100 parents armed with spades, pick-axes and wooden poles made their mark on Monday as they pitched the first poles – for a new primary school catering for grade R to grade 7 – along Nomakhwane Street in NU29.
The currently open patch of land is set to house the area’s first operational shack school – by early February – catering for about 1,000 pupils from the community who either could not find a place in nearby schools or have not been accommodated for by the education department’s scholar transport.
Community spokesperson Khaya Phasiya said the school served as a statement to ward 54 councillor Morgan Tshaka and the department of education that if they were not willing to assist, the community would take matters into their own hands.
“Since 2010 we have been promised that we would receive a school. We are fed up, we can’t go on like this so we are taking control of the situation. When we question the councillor about it there is always a new excuse.
“So we decided that is enough – we fund-raised among the residents and businesses in the area and managed to collect about R7,000 which we used to buy scrap metal with which we will build.”
Asked who would be managing the school, the appointment of teachers and the supply of stationery and curriculum compliance, he said: “We have six teachers living in the community who are not working, they will be in charge of conducting classes.
“While we don’t have means to supply textbooks and stationery, the school at this point is more to send a strong message to the councillor and relevant provincial departments to ensure they do not drag their feet with regard to this situation.”
He said a committee would be established to deal with practical issues such as the school’s name, funding and other operational issues.
Motherwell resident and parent of three primary school pupils Luzipho Swarts said: “All three of my children are in school, but sometimes the transport simply won’t pitch to pick them up for school.
“And other times the school bus is so full I worry for my children’s safety.
“Bringing a school to our area will add so much value to our community and the level of education they receive.
“One of the main reasons is they will have more teaching time with less travelling and they will also be guaranteed to arrive at school daily.”
However, Tshaka said the community had been informed late in 2018 that the construction of a school in the area would take place once funding was available.
“Last year I had public meetings where we engaged on the matter.
“The community was informed it would take at least two years for the school to be built, but the issue of funding remained a problem,” Tshaka said.
“I was not informed by the community as to their protest today [Monday].
“However, I do have a meeting with provincial officials from the department on Wednesday regarding this issue and will call a public meeting next week to inform them of developments this far.”
Education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima failed to respond to questions on Monday.