Despite almost a year having passed since dangerous infrastructure was identified at Ferndale Primary in Newlands East, KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Education and Public Works departments are yet to rectify extremely unsafe conditions for learners and staff.
The information forms the basis of a written parliamentary reply (view here), by KZN Education MEC, Mbali Frazer, to questions posed by the DA. The questions were prompted by our oversight inspection in June this year following numerous complaints from the local community.
According to the MECs reply, the DoE conducted an assessment in August last year after massive cracks appeared in pillars (view here and here), creating the potential to cause instability within the entire structure.
Despite being fully aware of the seriousness of the situation, the department and its implementing agent, KZN’s Department of Public Works have dragged their heels. It is now 11 months since the infrastructure dangers were first established yet there is no progress while learners’ safety remains severely compromised.
Additional work which requires urgent completion includes the ablution facilities, for both boys and girls, which are in a dire state. (view here) There is also a mobile classroom – currently used as a Grade R classroom – which still requires repairs.
At the very least, children require safe and proper infrastructure for a conducive learning environment. That these MECs and their departments cannot ensure this is an indictment against KZN’s Taliban faction ANC-run government.
Only a DA-led government can rescue KZN’s learners from the vicious cycle of poor-quality education and the resulting vicious cycle. The 2024 election will present citizens with the opportunity to save our province.