Children sent home while school battles with electricity and water

Learners at Soutpansberg Primary School were dismissed earlier on Monday because of electricity and water challenges at the school. Photo: Bernard Chiguvare.

Children sent home while school battles with electricity and water

Date: 02 May 2024 By: Bernard Chiguvare

Very little or no teaching took place at Soutpansberg Primary School on Monday, 29 April. The school is facing problems with the supply of electricity and water, and children were told to go home instead.

From what could be established, the school experienced a problem with the electricity supply last Friday (26^th). Parents hoped that the problem would be resolved over the weekend.

“My child informed me of the electricity issue last Friday. I had high hopes that it would be fixed, but to my dismay, nothing was done by Monday, 29 April. Besides learners’ losing out on learning, as parents, we are worried about the security of our property. The department should have addressed this matter urgently,” said a parent who wished not to be named.

Another parent expressed disappointment about the situation. “Water is life. Our children need to drink water most of the time. We have about 1,000 learners, and what will happen at the ablution facilities if there is no water? Children need to wash their hands every time they come from the bathrooms. This is really disappointing,” said the 40-year-old lady while collecting her children.

Limpopo Mirror visited the school around 12:00 on Monday. Learners were playing outside, and educators were in a meeting. By just past 12:00, the learners were dismissed early.

Ms Mosebjane Kgaffe, the acting spokesperson of the Limpopo Department of Basic Education, said that the department was not aware of the incident. “We are going to conduct investigations,” responded Kgaffe.

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