Note to Editors: Find attached soundbites in English and Setswana by DA North West Constituency Head for Mahikeng, Freddy Sonakile.
Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West conducted an oversight inspection at the DP Kgotleng Primary School in Mahikeng after reports that the school’s water had been cut off since Wednesday, 4 September 2019.
The lack of water results in the limited access to sanitation facilities, which not only affects the quality of learning, but also poses a serious health hazard to learners and teachers.
We also found that the infrastructure of the school is not up to standard. Windows are broken and toilets in the girls’ bathroom are out of order. See pictures here and here.
The school last week issued a letter to parents stating that no learner will be permitted access to the school without paying an amount of R30. The letter further lamented the fact that it is due to the non-payment of school fees that the municipal account is in arrears. Click here to see copy of letter.
Upon engagement with the staff, we learned that there are two municipal accounts, but that the school is confused about the reasons for this.
We have, however, clarified this with the accounts department at Mahikeng Local Municipality, who confirmed that the rates and taxes is paid by Department of Public Works and the water consumption is to be paid by the school.
The municipality further confirmed that the school’s last payment was made in December 2018 and that it cannot continue to deliver services without any payment. See copy of municipal print-out here.
Leaving learners without water is a gross violation of their basic human rights and to this end, we will write to the MEC for Department of Education, Wendy Matsemela, requesting her to investigate the financial state of this school and to ensure that the water account, as well as the infrastructure, is urgently attended to.
The DA will exercise its oversight role in ensuring that this situation is resolved, as we cannot allow the failures of management to affect the quality of learning at the school by denying them access to water and sanitation.