While the construction of a primary school in Eldorado Park remains abandoned and incomplete, pupils who were removed from the school and relocated to mobile classrooms nearby bear the brunt of having lessons in the dark and cold.
More than 1,200 learners from Nancefield primary school had to be relocated in 2019 following defects to their building and where promised that they would move into their new school by October this year. However, the constructor hired by the Gauteng department of infrastructure development, abandoned the R120m project last year because of non-compliance and cash-flow problems due to Covid-19. This led to the contract being terminated.
The learners, who are in grades R to 7, are now being accommodated in mobile classrooms in an open field next to another school.
Several parents have since complained about the conditions their children are facing in these mobile units.
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On Thursday Sophia Tlhapie, a parent, said her child had not been to school since Tuesday due to getting sick from the cold classrooms units. Her son,11, is in grade 6.
“Those classes are cold in the morning. My child now has flu because of those cold structures. He is sitting at home now. They [government] need to finish this structure. They gave us hope that they will finish it. We are still waiting,’’ said Tlhapie.
Irene Mdawayi's three grandchildren also go to the school.
“Since last year my children have been refusing to go to the school because it’s cold. Two weeks ago one of my children missed school for a week because he had chest pains, hay fever and a runny nose. I had to take him to the clinic three times in one day. We have been asking ourselves as parents, when will this school be finished,’’ said Mdawayi.
Renate Strydom, 41, said learning has not been conducive because of cable theft that has left classrooms in darkness.
“I am furious. These people promised us a tennis court and swimming pool inside the school. We want our children to be in warm classes with proper lighting. When the cables get stolen, some classes do not have electricity and learners [pupils] can go for hours without learning,’’ said Strydom.
When Sowetan visited the temporary school yesterday, pupils were seen playing in the yard.
The school principal referred Sowetan to the Gauteng education department (GDE).
The abandoned and incomplete school could be seen not far from the mobile school. The construction site was fenced and the building did not have a roof on it.
The department’s spokesperson, Bongiwe Gambu, said work has resumed to finish the construction of the school, with about 55% of work still to be done.
She said Covid had disrupted construction for about eight months.
“During this period construction was not taking place. However, the constructor was still liable for their operating costs, which included salaries and other overheads. With no work being done and no income being received, this had a negative beating on the constructor’s cash flow. We had hoped that with the resumption of work on site the constructor would be able to recover financially and progress on site would be realised.
“Sadly, this was not to be, and the constructor approached the department seeking to terminate the contract,’’ she said.
kokam@sowetan.co.za
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