A SOWETO school is facing an infrastructure crisis.
Gauteng education spokesman Steve Mabona said the department is concerned about the infrastructure challenges at Phiri Special School.
This is after the roofing collapsed during the heavy rain which caused flooding on Monday, 29 January, leaving two classes without a roof.
Fortunately, no one sustained any injuries during the incident.
When Daily Sun visited the school on Tuesday, 30 January, they were denied access to the school premises, but learning and teaching took place as normal.
Mabona told the Daily Sun that the department is aware and concerned about the infrastructure challenges at the special school.
ALSO READ: Vusi kidnapped and tortured for 'inheritance'
“We dispatched inspectors to conduct an assessment at the school on Thursday, 1 February 2024 and a procurement process has been initiated to repair the school,” he said.
Mabona said in the same week, Thabo-vuyo Primary School in Sebokeng, Vereeniging was also damaged by the recent storms and processes for repairs will follow in due course.
He confirmed that at schools no one sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, education activist Hendrick Makaneta said government has a responsibility to make sure that pupils learn in an environment that is safe and conducive for learning and teaching.
“They really need to invest in infrastructure. It's not correct that schools are left unmaintained. What I've observed with our government is that they do build schools from time to time, but they lack constant maintenance and that's why you see a difference between private and public schools,” he said.
Makaneta called on the government to address issues of overcrowding at schools and advocated for the construction of more permanent structures rather than relying solely on temporary solutions such as mobile classrooms.
