Following the expose by the Laudium Sun (Jan 21 edition), regarding poor and unsafe building condition of the Lotus Gardens Secondary School, a number of parents called us to compliment the paper for informing the community and exposing the school and the Gauteng Department of Education.
Since our publication, parents and residents in Lotus Gardens met to discuss a way forward in order to get the attention of the relevant authorities, to act urgently in repairing the school structure. Protests were held this week by them, calling for the removal of the newly appointed principal, Nthakeng Mpho and calling on the Department of Education to set up 50 mobile classrooms in the interim. Despite learners also joining the protests, with placards requesting that learning takes place, classes have not resumed since the beginning of the year.
This past Tuesday (February 1), during a protest action outside the school, a joint statement was issued by parents and community leaders, stating that the school and the Department had failed to keep a promise made on Friday Jan 28, to arrange temporarily for six mobile classes, until all the classrooms and bathrooms had been fixed. The parents also stated that a follow-up meeting was held on Monday January 31, with Principal Nthakeng and the IDSO of the District, but follow up questions concerning the six mobile classrooms have not been answered.
Neil Naidoo, a concerned parent said, “The entire school has been declared unsafe and we can’t keep on inviting learners, teachers and staff to come to this environment without a constructive plan of action. Parents have signed a petition that states how the condition of the school has worsened. It is evident that all learners and teachers who are supposed to be seated in classrooms, are now constantly seated under trees and wondering around the school premises. No learner of the school has received textbooks and for some parents it is frustrating because the Principal does not seem to care. I will not stop fighting till all learners are safe in school and being educated. We will walk the walk and fight the fight for our kids,” he said.
Independent Ward Councillor, Shimane Makopo told parents in a meeting at the school that he will not sit down and allow the legacy of Lotus Gardens Secondary to go down the drain.”The learners are behind schedule and it seems that nobody is prioritizing them, but we as parents and community leaders are not going to throw in the towel,” he said.
Farzana Chetty, a concerned resident told the Laudium Sun that all she wants is for the learners to get a rightful education in a safe environment. “Fix our school and the Dept should make the funds available.”
Nazareen Essop another concerned parent said her daughter who is in Grade 9 is complaining that no homework or assignments have been given to them. “I’m very concerned about my child’s education as she is a bright student sitting at home.”
Parent Mary-Anne Dlamini said her son started his Grade 8 career this year at the school, but to date he has not received any textbooks, “This is totally unacceptable and the Dept should intervene.”
Principal Nthakeng refused to comment on the matter and did not show up to address any of the meetings with concerned parents.
