Overcrowding continues to be an issue at Ratjeke Primary School in Limpopo after the department of education provided mobil classrooms a year ago.
This was confirmed by the school’s principal Motshekga Mangopo on Friday.
The case is frustrating teachers and taking a toll on the school’s 200 plus pupils.
In 2022, Sunday World reported that pupils were learning in dilapidated classrooms that posed a threat to their safety, and some were forced to learn under trees.
Mangopo told the publication that the department moved them from under the trees and placed them in a centre which has mobile classes.
“We were only provided with seven mobile classes, which are not enough to fit all the learners that we have. We had to put two grades in one classroom and that is confusing the
learners. However, we put them together because we do not have enough [classrooms] to cater for all grades,” Mangopo said.
He said they had paired Grade 4 and 5 pupils together even though the syllabus is different.
“When they have tests and exams, they sometimes answer things which are not meant for their grade, and this has affected their overall performance as they struggle with differentiating their work,” Mangopo shared in frustration.
He added that, as a principal of the school, he did not have an office.
“There isn’t enough space for all of us in the staff room because we use it as a storage, to keep food and other necessities. These classes are cold as well, especially now that it is winter.
They recently put a fence around the old school, we hope that they will commence with the renovations soon.”
The principal also raised his concerns that there was no safe hygiene for both learners and educators.
“We only have four mobile toilets, and one is for educators, both male and female. The other three are for the pupils and our main concern is hygiene because we do not have a borehole and electricity.”
Matome Serumula, a councillor at the Greater Letaba municipality, alleged that the department only acted on the matter after their intervention.
“The department identified land and pupils from Ratjeke were moved to the new infrastructure.
“Learning and teaching has resumed since the allocation, no learner is under a tree and all classes are occupied,” said Serumula.
Serumula highlighted that government has not lived up to the promise it made to Ratjeke community as it did not fix the school.
Limpopo department of education spokesperson Mike Maringa said the school had been handed over to their implementing agent, which is currently in the process of appointing professionals to get the work done.
“As soon as they are done with the surveys in the school, we will be able to know the value of the school. The process will take about two months.”
Maringa revealed that they had merged Ratjeke and Mahekwe schools, and that learners are now using mobile classrooms.
“No learner is under the trees. Both Ratjeke and Mahekwe primary schools will receive new infrastructure soon,” Maringa concluded.
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