Soshanguve parents recently took matters into their hands by shutting down Padisago Primary school onto demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the poor condition of the school.
The parents barred teachers from entering the school, sent back learners and continued to protest outside school with placards reading:”#weWantCleanClasses, #WeWantAnswers and #OurChildrensivesMatter”.
The parents said they held a meeting with the school’s management at the beginning of the term on 17 January 2018, but since that day nothing has been done and it was now time they made their demands clear for infrastructure to be repaired at the school.
Lillian Ntuli, a concerned parent said,” We have been fighting for proper classes for our children for two years now because the situation of the classes is not healthy especially for the younger ones in grade R.”
The Padisago Primary School parents said the shutdown was for the school’s management to start taking them serious. They want their grievances not only to be heard but also to be actioned to help alleviate the problems.
Freda Moteane, a parent, told Soshanguve Times that when the schools opened this year, the children were struggling as they did not have timetables and certain subjects were not being taught. “”We don’t understand what is going to be in the assessment reports for that term,” she said.
The Gauteng’s Education department spokesperson, Mr Steve Mabona, said they are asking the parents to be patient as the school’s service provider will start with the job soon.
“It is unfortunate that parents have decided to shut down the school; however the service provider will commence to do the job accordingly. We appeal for patience from the parents,” Mr Mabona said.
