Simunye pupils to get new school after 27-year delay

A Gauteng school, which has been run from ship containers since it was established in 1995, will soon move into new buildings of bricks and mortar. 

Following decades of the community squabbling over where the new proper school should be built, Sowetan has learnt that the more than 1,400 children who have been getting lessons from 51 ship containers at Simunye Secondary School in Bekkersdal, West Rand, will get a new school. This follows the Gauteng department of education's intervention in March to resolve the impasse that had split opinions in Simunye township. 

For the past 27 years, the community has been promised that a brick structured school will be built within the area, but this move has not materialised despite numerous protests staged by angry residents and affected pupils over the years.

Some members of the community wanted the new school to be built where the containers are to avoid travelling costs, but this could not happen as it is built on dolomitic ground. Another group wanted the school to be built elsewhere.

“There has been a dispute within the community. We wanted to build the school but the community was divided on where we should build. We have taken a decision and we have identified land. We will build where we want to build. If they don’t want to take their children there it will be unfortunate,” said MEC Panyaza Lesufi recently.

The department identified a piece of land in Borwa, about 15 minutes from the current building. The new school will be built within 18 months. 

“The community is talking in one voice now. All we want is a brick school that is safe for our children. The department has assured us that scholar transport will be provided once the new school is up and running. All we want is a brick school. We are tired of promises,” said Tshidiso Monare, the chairperson of school governing body. 

The current containers are dilapidated and pose health risk as the windows are broken and the floors have holes on them. There is also overcrowding and the walls are falling.

Due to the poor state of the containers and class overcrowding, only the grade 11 and 12 pupils attend normal schooling days. Other pupils in lower grades go to school once a week.

The rotational schooling system contributes to a rise in teenage pregnancy and substance abuse within the old mining community, said Monare.

The teachers from the school make use of two tiny containers situated near the main gate as their bathroom. The teachers are not happy with what they have been provided.

“Many of us are teaching at Simunye because we love our jobs but honestly speaking we are all ashamed of the condition we work in,” said one of the teachers, who did not want to be identified out fear of victimisation.