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The Solidarity Teachers’ Network and the Support Centre for Schools are deeply concerned with the Department of Basic Education’s decision to transfer grade 8 learners from overcrowded high schools in Kempton Park to primary schools in the same area.

These already full primary schools, some of which are also Afrikaans parallel medium schools, were informed on 9 January, shortly before the start of the new school year, that mobile classrooms would be dropped off at these schools to accommodate learners of Hoërskool Birchleigh that could not be placed.

These primary schools whose planning for 2024 has indeed been done, must now pay for the insufficient planning of the Department.

The Solidarity Teachers’ Network strongly condemns this practice. Johan Botha, deputy general secretary at Solidarity, emphasised that schools had already completed their curriculum planning and security measures for 2024 last year.

“To make such decisions now is simply reckless. This decision speaks volumes of incompetent leadership and management in the Department, which puts the well-being of learners and employees in jeopardy,” said Botha.

Melanie Buys, head of development at the Support Centre for Schools also strongly objected to the use of mobile classrooms at schools. She said that this approach not only violates building regulations but that it is also not in the best interest of the current and new learners.

“All of this is the result of poor planning by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). The DBE has known about these problems for months, and now, just three days before school starts, it is suddenly a crisis,” said Buys.

Buys emphasised that it is impossible for primary schools to fit grade 8 learners into existing school timetables. According to her, the decision to impose this so-called solution on schools without considering the availability of teachers, resources and facilities is unacceptable.

Botha said Hoërskool Birchleigh’s problem is particularly disappointing as the school serves as a high school and a primary school therefore, the Department had to be aware of the expected learner number for 2024 since they were in grade 1.

“The Solidarity Teachers’ Network is also concerned with the safety of the teachers and the learners who now have to bear the brunt of others’ carelessness.

“Solidarity’s Teachers’ Network will act, intervene and support schools that are disadvantaged by this. We also want to encourage schools to take action against the Department’s disregard for safety measures for learners and teachers,” said Botha.

Schools are requested to notify Solidarity immediately if similar incidents of learner placements occur at the beginning of the school year.

Issued by Solidarity