PUPILS at an Mpumalanga primary school only go to school three times a week because there are not enough classrooms to accommodate all of them.
The school’s gates remained locked on Monday following a violent protest that saw tyres being burned outside Funindlela Primary School in Matsulu on Friday.
The parents want extra classrooms and proper roofing for four classrooms whose roofs were blown away in a storm in October.
Nomakhosi Lubisi, a parent, said: “The regional office came to the school and told us they would fix the roofs before the start of the 2016 academic year.
“They have failed us.
“We are tired of our children having to attend classes in shifts.”
During the protest, pupils demanded a proper school and not just a ceiling.
Nomthandazo Mabuza, a grade 5 pupil, said: “We want a proper school.
“Pupils from one grade come to school today, while those from another grade have to stay at home until the following day.
“We want to be taken seriously.
“Our education is important to us.”
An official said some teachers are refusing to teach in the classrooms that have no roofs.
“They say it’s too hot and they can’t work in classrooms where they are exposed to the sun all day.”
The parents vowed that classes will not resume until the department offers a proper solution.
Gerald Sambo, provincial education department spokesman, said a contractor has been appointed to fix the classrooms.
“We are aware of the situation. We have already appointed a contractor to fix the roofs.
“The repairs will start in March.” – AENS