By Claudine Senekal
The ablution facilities at Ezakheni High School, also known as Ezakheni Junior High, are in such an atrocious state that some learners have to relieve themselves on the school’s field. It was reported to The Ladysmith Herald that learners refuse to use the toilets and are forced to either wait the entire day to return home to relieve themselves or have to do so out in the school’s field. It is said that the toilets have been in this state for a while.
“It is incredibly frustrating. No water, no toilets and the learners at the school are the ones who are suffering. Can you imagine going to school only to have to use the field as a toilet area?” said a resident who had asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation by the school’s staff or the Department of Education.
Dr Imran Keeka, MPL, DA KZN Spokesperson on Education, told The Ladysmith Herald that even he was in a state of shock when he was shown pictures of the broken and filthy toilets. “The deplorable state of the facilities at this school is not uncommon in as much as it appears disgusting and not even fit for animals,” said Dr Keeka.
He said that it is unfortunate that the MEC and his department continue to paint a rosy picture of the state of infrastructure in local schools. “It is far from that. This year’s budget will also see a massive shortfall in an approximate sum of R1.4 billion which will put any maintenance and repairs such as this on the back-burner.”
Dr Keeka said that the fact that the ablution facilities even reached such a state is very worrying. “Where was the school management and the school governing body, the circuit management and district leadership? This didn’t happen overnight!”
He said that if learners were responsible for this, what has the school management done to resolve the issues of vandalism?
“Are the children now using the veld or has a temporary solution been found until there are repairs? These are questions I am hoping I will be able to get from the MEC through the process of asking Parliamentary Questions. The lack of accountability right from the top – indicative of poor leadership – leaves all at a loss. It is really unfortunate that this is not a picture in isolation in KZN,” said Dr Keeka.
A detailed email was sent to the Department of Education KZN District Manager, Ms Mokoena, for comment, however, none was made available before the time of print.
