No sight of brick-and-mortar classrooms at Noordwyk Primary School

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05-06-2025
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Midrand Reporter
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The school's SGB chairperson, Donald Mathebula, believes the use of container classrooms affect the process of teaching and learning.

The school governing body (SGB) at Noordwyk Primary School is raising concerns over the continued use of shipping containers and prefabricated structures for classrooms and offices.

Chairperson Donald Mathebula has been pressing the Gauteng Department of Education for permanent brick-and-mortar facilities and an upgraded electrical system to support the school’s operations. Mathebula stated that he had formally inquired about two key issues: The construction of permanent school buildings and the electrification of the circuit breaker by City Power.

Addressing these matters, he believes, is crucial to ensuring a stable learning environment for learners and teachers. Despite being established over a decade ago, the school has yet to receive the necessary upgrades. Mathebula fears that without proper infrastructure, teaching and learning will continue to suffer, as learners and staff remain confined to mobile container classrooms with Wendy houses serving as offices.

According to Mathebula, past efforts to secure funding and support have yielded few results. Former SGB leadership, along with the school’s principal, has sent multiple requests to the department, but progress remains stagnant.

Previous MEC for Education Panyaza Lusufi acknowledged the issue, even pledging to assist during a school visit, yet no significant steps have been taken. Another pressing concern is the school’s electrical capacity.

Mathebula noted that repeated appeals to City Power for upgrades to the circuit breaker have stalled due to a technicality – the utility requires approval from the stand owner before proceeding with enhancements.

The Department of Education spokesperson, Steve Mabona, confirmed that Noordwyk Primary currently operated as a fully mobile school. However, he assured that plans were in motion to replace temporary structures with permanent facilities. The school has been prioritised for redevelopment, with a project scope compiled and submitted for provincial approval. A project number has been allocated, and construction is expected to commence in due course.

Mabona further stated that the school received ongoing maintenance support. Projects carried out between 2022 and 2024 included demolishing an old, unused house on the premises and clearing the site for future development.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said: “The standard procedure upon receiving a request for a large power user (LPU) application is to conduct a site investigation, after which a design fee letter is issued to the applicant. This letter outlines the required documentation for the application process.”

He said the required documents include approved surveyor general drawings of the property, approved site development plan, and proof of the rezoning of the property, in order for them to provide the school with a bigger circuit breaker.