Academics at Nigel primary school halted over health & safety concerns

JOHANNESBURG - It's been three weeks since learners of Alra Park Primary School, Ekurhuleni, stopped attending classes after their parents withheld them from going to school.

The parents claim the Gauteng Department of Education has not fulfilled its promise to upgrade the school’s deteriorating infrastructure, which they said has become a serious safety hazard.

School officials said that the department sent inspectors to the school in 2023, who declared the buildings unsafe and mobile classrooms were provided to mitigate risk.

However, the school claims not enough mobile units were provided, forcing the school to use part of the buildings that were declared unsafe.

Academic activities at Alra Park Primary School in Nigel have been suspended for weeks now.

Frustrated parents have cited health and safety concerns at the school, leading them to not allow their children, teachers and staff to enter the premises.

The community and school officials said it's been years since they have been complaining about the aging infrastructure and unbearable conditions that their children are subjected to.

The community crisis committee, consisting of school-governing body (SGB) members around the five local schools, said the department had made promises to build them a new school in 2024.

"There were roofs falling, learners get injured, teachers get injured, workers get injured here," said committee chairperson Farid Mohammed.

He said as a substitute, 30 mobile units were handed to the school, which they claim have also turned into a safety hazard.

Mohammed said the school would remain closed until the department recognised their plea for a safer learning environment.