Madibeng schools in water crisis

Victor Mulangisi

The Department of Education has come under fire from the Madibeng community after two schools failed to operate due to non-availability of water.

Mamasilo Secondary School and Madibeng Primary School had to be closed due to water shortage. Parents had to take a trip to Kuruman’s Department of Education’s offices to express their displeasure on October 19, 2020.

Mr Patrick Thukwe said that a stern decision had to be taken by confronting the responsible authorities to ensure that a health crisis is averted. He said that Covid-19 protocols alongside the safety of learners must be prioritised. On meeting the department officials, the team of parents left the offices greatly encouraged by the response. According to Mr Thukwe said that the department said that plans were afoot to dispatch the contractor within a week or so to rectify the ensuing challenges affecting the two schools.

“A water station is to be built to ensure there is fluidity in the supply of water at these two schools. They promised us that when schools reopen next week progress must have been garnered. Parents all over the region are very careful where Covid-19 protocols are not taken seriously.

This comes in the backdrop of real casualties derived from the pandemic. Government and the department are very clear that where there is no water schools must be closed because water is a prerequisite in meeting Covid-19 safety protocols. Ablution facilities ought to be fully functional to fulfil the sanitization processes by learners, educators and other workers. Parents are equally concerned because substantial learning time has been lost during the lockdown hence they want an enabling environment set by the department.