Learners still not in school

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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - The critical shortage of classroom space for learners at schools in Thembalethu was highlighted once again on Wednesday 7 February, when 15 parents held a picket outside Tyholorha Primary School, demanding that their children be accommodated at the school.

They claim grade 5 to 7 learners have not yet been accommodated for the 2018 school year.

Leader of the picket Patrick Dogg said, "We just want our children to learn, they need classrooms.

"We can't afford to send our children to the schools in town; we are frustrated the Education Department does not hear our pleas. I think there are about 200 children in Thembalethu that can't find a place at the school."

Self-employed entrepreneur Tashembenoci Rasmeni from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape told the George Herald, "I came to George to improve my economic position and now I can't find a place for my children to go to school. It is wrong."

Parents had approached former ANC councillors Castro Leholo and Gilford Sihoyiya about their crisis.

"The solution lies with the education department, as their systems aren't feeding the correct information when there are late registrations.

"By November the process seems to be closed and those arriving in January just can't be accommodated," said Leholo.

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Spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department, Millicent Merton, said that neither the district office nor the headmaster of Tyholorha Primary School was aware that a protest was being staged.

"The headmaster confirmed that only 12 grade six learners from the Eastern Cape are still on the waiting list.

"These learners will be accommodated at Thembalethu Primary school as from Monday 12 February."

A teacher from one of the Thembalethu schools said, "It is unfair, as the department simply forces the schools to take in these late registrations to placate the parents, making the classes very big and difficult to teach.

The message is clear: "We need classes for all children".