Overcrowding has been identified as an obstacle to quality teaching and learning at some Gauteng schools.
This is according to a report launched by Equal Education (EE) on overcrowding at nine schools in Etwatwa, Ekurhuleni. The organisation also launched a #Nospaceforus campaign rooted in research that it conducted between September 2019 and June last year.
According to the report, the data was collected from 751 classes, measured and inspected 105 classrooms, and interviewed over 50 community members.
The report states that 74% of classes had over 40 pupils, seven out of nine schools had at least 15% more pupils than the building was designed to hold, while 66% of the classrooms were too small for the number of learners they held. It also found that 82% of the classrooms did not have enough furniture for the number of learners inside them, while 65% of teachers complained that they were overworked.
Speaking about the report, EE spokesperson Jay-Dee Cyster said in 2018 EE learner members complained about overcrowding at schools in their areas.
“In the process of conducting our research we noticed that overcrowding was not understood and experienced as one thing but rather as a relationship between different factors that made up the school environment. When comparing the situation we witnessed in schools with statistics reported by the Gauteng education department and basic education department, we learned that the government did not reflect reality in schools,” Cyster said.
She said the statistics were used by Gauteng education to claim that while there was a classroom shortage, schools still had enough teachers and classes had the right sizes.
A pupil at Amos Maphanga Secondary School said overcrowding led to pupils falling asleep in the classroom.
“We also have to share chairs and some learners will sit on a table while other will stand the entire day,” he said.
A deputy principal in one of the schools said district offices were packing schools with learners.
“We can’t turn away pupils when they come to our schools. The districts divide learners among the schools in the area but the number is large,” he said.
Cyster said overcrowding at schools led the furniture and other infrastructure being overused and falling apart quickly.
“Classrooms are hot, with little ventilation and regards for social distancing. Teachers find it difficult to move around the classroom to supervise the class. Teachers have heavy workloads, resulting in them being overwhelmed, exhausted and demoralised. At the same time learners feel neglected and withdraw from learning,” said Cyster.
EE recommended that the department of education should develop school capacity norms that are binding.
“These norms would set a limit for the number of learners a school can enrol. Gauteng education needs to create and implement a plan for school infrastructure development that aims to fix the current overcrowding.”
Provincial department of education spokesperson Steve Mabona said they don't have a response as yet.
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