Parents demand ‘promised’ new school in North West

Parents and School Governing Body members at Renalerona Secondary School in Weltevrede, North West, express their growing frustration as promises of a new school remain unfulfilled. The existing school, constructed by the community in 1992, was closed on 27 August due to non-compliance with health and safety regulations. It briefly reopened with the arrival of mobile classrooms; however, parents argue these temporary solutions are insufficient and have caused learners to lose two months of crucial learning time.

Forced to remain at home during the third term's commencement, parents now contend that their children are suffering from the anxiety of lost learning. The School Governing Body (SGB) approached the government multiple times, eventually establishing a community committee to push for action. The government's promise to intervene remains unmet, leading parents to demand the demolition and reconstruction of the dilapidated facility.

School Governing Body chairperson Andries Mothusi asserts that the deterioration of the school's condition was not unexpected. Despite formal interactions with the Department of Labour, no meaningful intervention materialized. Mothusi explains that the Department conducted an inspection on 27 August, resulting in the closure of grades 7 to 11 due to the school's deteriorating condition. Only grades 12 learners continued in the only two mobile classrooms available, with some ceilings collapsing.

The North West Department of Education acknowledges the parents' concerns regarding the school's infrastructure and the impact on teaching and learning. They provided seven mobile classrooms as a temporary solution before the school's closure on 27 August. Mercy Mokgatle, a spokesperson for the department, emphasizes that while the department is aware of the situation, the appointment of a contractor for major renovations has been delayed, leaving parents dissatisfied with the lack of progress.