Today, the ActionSA eThekwini Regional Leadership, together with myself as Provincial Chairperson, visited Bhekisisa High School to inspect its readiness for the start of the school year, but were greeted by the shocking state of affairs at the school.
There are a litany of challenges dating back to 2014 where the school was vandalised by criminal elements from neighbouring community members.
Damaged infrastructure makes every day learning a challenge for pupils at Bhekisisa High School, with cracked pillars that hold up the roof causing a safety threat to learners and teachers. The lack of electricity in some buildings of the school has forced teachers to connect multiple extension cords from one block to the other in order to have access to electricity.
Old and damaged asbestos that allows the flow of rainwater into classrooms has not been replaced, even though it has been found to cause serious health risks.
According to a source at the school who wished to remain anonymous, the Department of Education (DOE) did not take swift measures to ensure that these acts of crime such as vandalism are prevented, nor did the Department of Public Works take steps to repair damaged infrastructure.
With the shortage of teachers being another major issue for the school, the Post Provisioning Norm (PPN) – Which should be received annually by schools, from the Department of Education – is a process that determines the number of teachers allocated to schools to ensure adequate teacher-to-learner ratio is maintained.
Bhekisisa High School is yet to receive an updated version of the PPN as they last received theirs in 2020.
According to the South African Democratic Teachers Union’s (SADTU) Provincial Secretary, Ms Nomarashiya Caluza, more than 200 schools in KZN have four or less teachers as the Government fails to fill vacant posts and appoint substitute or temporary teachers.
In response to the teacher shortage crisis, the organisation handed over a memorandum to then Premier of KZN, Mr Sihle Zikalala, demanding that:
- The DOE must fill all vacant posts in the Province.
- Substitute teachers be appointed and paid.
- Priority be given to previously disadvantaged schools.
Most shockingly, in the year 2021, the DOE announced plans to retrench over 4000 teachers while sitting with over 2000 unfiled vacancies. Although they abandoned the plans, however, they announced they have no plans to fill the vacant 2000 positions, meaning that schools such as Bhekisisa High School will continue to suffer.
The continuance of non-repairing of damaged infrastructure and unfilled vacancies continues to burden teachers and pupils at Bhekisisa High School and hundreds more as they are expected to flourish under such harsh conditions.
Like many other schools in the province, Bhekisisa High School is not ready for the start of the school year, thus we call on the MEC for Education, Ms Mbali Frazer, to take necessary steps in ensuring that dignity is restored in our province’s education system.
Teacher Shortages and Poor Infrastructure Drown Bhekisisa High School
Today, the ActionSA eThekwini Regional Leadership, together with myself as Provincial Chairperson, visited Bhekisisa High School to inspect its readiness for the start of the school year, but were greeted by the shocking state of affairs at the school.
There are a litany of challenges dating back to 2014 where the school was vandalised by criminal elements from neighbouring community members.
Damaged infrastructure makes every day learning a challenge for pupils at Bhekisisa High School, with cracked pillars that hold up the roof causing a safety threat to learners and teachers. The lack of electricity in some buildings of the school has forced teachers to connect multiple extension cords from one block to the other in order to have access to electricity.
Old and damaged asbestos that allows the flow of rainwater into classrooms has not been replaced, even though it has been found to cause serious health risks.
According to a source at the school who wished to remain anonymous, the Department of Education (DOE) did not take swift measures to ensure that these acts of crime such as vandalism are prevented, nor did the Department of Public Works take steps to repair damaged infrastructure.
With the shortage of teachers being another major issue for the school, the Post Provisioning Norm (PPN) – Which should be received annually by schools, from the Department of Education – is a process that determines the number of teachers allocated to schools to ensure adequate teacher-to-learner ratio is maintained.
Bhekisisa High School is yet to receive an updated version of the PPN as they last received theirs in 2020.
According to the South African Democratic Teachers Union’s (SADTU) Provincial Secretary, Ms Nomarashiya Caluza, more than 200 schools in KZN have four or less teachers as the Government fails to fill vacant posts and appoint substitute or temporary teachers.
In response to the teacher shortage crisis, the organisation handed over a memorandum to then Premier of KZN, Mr Sihle Zikalala, demanding that:
Most shockingly, in the year 2021, the DOE announced plans to retrench over 4000 teachers while sitting with over 2000 unfiled vacancies. Although they abandoned the plans, however, they announced they have no plans to fill the vacant 2000 positions, meaning that schools such as Bhekisisa High School will continue to suffer.
The continuance of non-repairing of damaged infrastructure and unfilled vacancies continues to burden teachers and pupils at Bhekisisa High School and hundreds more as they are expected to flourish under such harsh conditions.
Like many other schools in the province, Bhekisisa High School is not ready for the start of the school year, thus we call on the MEC for Education, Ms Mbali Frazer, to take necessary steps in ensuring that dignity is restored in our province’s education system.