The Gauteng Department of Education is making improvements to the temporary infrastructure of Relebogile Secondary School, in Khutsong, Carltonville after Sunday World exposed its many health and safety hazards.
This week, bricks were delivered to the school, which saw the beginning of a project to pave the premises, so that pupils no longer have to walk in the mud after heavy downpours. The next step would be fixing and increasing the number of prefabricated toilets, which are being used by staff and pupils.
“We have seen them start with paving, then they will help with toilets. Maybe they can install a pipe, so we can flush properly,” a source close to the matter told Sunday World.
Relebogile Secondary School was almost swallowed by a sinkhole in 2023 and has been shut down since then.
Pupils have had to be taught in unsanitary conditions in prefabricated classes adjacent to the school grounds.
More than 1 400 pupils share 10 toilets, while 59 teachers use another three.
The low-pressure prefabricated toilets can barely flush. This leaves pupils with no choice but to fill up buckets with water from two tanks to create a forceful flush.
There is no proper drainage system or paving, making it difficult for pupils and teachers to walk around the premises on rainy days.
Security risks have plagued the school’s temporary premises, which have prompted teachers and the principal to ensure that the infrastructure is not damaged during weekends and holidays.
Jacob Mamabolo, Gauteng MEC for infrastructure development, previously admitted that the process of fixing the school had not been done timeously.
He explained that dolomite studies would have to be conducted to assess the area and then there should be a meeting with stakeholders to determine a path forward.
He could, however, not be drawn on the timeline of when the project will be
completed.
In this financial year, money has been set aside to fix the school, and the department of education has mentioned that it would take six to nine months to start construction.
