ANC writes to SAHRC about two school closures in Kraaifontein

The African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape has lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission over the closure of two schools in the metro.

According to the party, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has closed half of the Solomon Mahlangu Primary and the entire BlueRidge Primary schools, situated in Kraaifontein.

ANC leader in the Western Cape Legislature, Khalid Sayed, says parents from Wallacedene have expressed opposition to the closure of the schools.

‘’It is unacceptable that the department is putting politics before children, setting arbitrary targets for new school constructions over the fundamental right to quality education. The dire conditions at Solomon Mahlangu Primary School, including the lack of access to water, computer rooms, sports fields, and safe food storage, compounded by severe overcrowding, constitute a clear violation of the children’s basic human rights and their right to a dignified and conducive learning environment.’’

‘’The department’s actions have not only jeopardized the education of these learners but have also placed an undue burden on neighboring schools like Enkululekweni Primary. The ANC condemns the department’s disregard for the well-being and future of these children and calls for the immediate reversal of this decision. We demand that the BlueRidge Primary School facility be opened without delay and made accessible to all students from Solomon Mahlangu Primary School,’’ added Sayed.

On Wednesday, parents moved their children, with their desks and chairs, from Solomon Mahlangu Primary School to Blue Ridge Primary School in protest. Blue Ridge Primary, a new school, opened for the new school year  and is directly opposite Solomon Mahlangu on Thakudi Street. The protest followed two days of disruptions on Monday and Tuesday when dozens of parents blocked entrances to both schools. They demanded that their children be transferred to Blue Ridge. It is understood that parents also protested to prevent new learners who are not from Wallacedene from enrolling at Blue Ridge. They argue that some classrooms at Blue Ridge remain empty while learners at Solomon Mahlangu have to endure poor learning conditions. The school lacks a computer lab, a science lab, a library, and a playground.

Reacting to this, and the WCED denied the closure of the two schools.

‘’It is categorically false that the WECED has closed these two schools. Only a Head of Department can close schools and he has not done so. What has however transpired is the disruption of schooling in the area and in attempt in illegally invading a new school building.

This week parents of a neighbouring school attempted to force their way onto a new school premises. This action has caused disruptions in both schools, as desks were moved from one school to take to the new school. The schools has been opened on Thursday and Friday, however the actions of the community has affected learner attendance.

‘’The WCED is engaging with school community to discuss the opportunity of the transfer of Grade 4 to 7 learners to the new school and is expected to take place at the end of the year once construction has been finalized. It cannot take place now as there is construction taking place in the intermediate phase.’’

 

Done By: Mitchum George