Port St John’s – Frustrated parents, learners, and the School Governing Body (SGB) of Ntlambela blocked the R61 road for over four hours this past week, protesting the dire state of their local school, which has been a mud structure for more than four decades.
Decades of Broken Promises
Residents claim they built the makeshift school themselves over 40 years ago and have repeatedly pleaded with authorities to replace it with a proper structure. Despite promises from the Eastern Cape Department of Education—including an alleged commitment in May 2015—no progress has been made.
“We first built the school at a church site, but it flooded, so we moved. Yet, even now, it remains a mud school,” one community member said. “They keep promising, but nothing happens.”
Safety and Health Concerns
The SGB and parents expressed grave concerns over the safety of learners, citing a dilapidated fence, broken windows, and crumbling infrastructure. “We fenced the school ourselves, but it’s now old and broken. Our children are not safe here,” a parent said.
The school’s poor condition also exposes learners and teachers to harsh weather and potential criminal threats, as the building lacks proper security and insulation.
Department’s Response
The Eastern Cape Department of Education acknowledged the issue but cited systemic delays. A spokesperson stated that school construction priorities are determined at the district level, with assessments made on which institutions need urgent attention.
However, the department also faces additional challenges after recent floods damaged over 200 schools in the province, with at least 50 completely destroyed. This has raised fears that Ntlambela’s concerns may be further delayed as resources are diverted to more severely affected areas.
A Wider Crisis in the Eastern Cape
The situation in Ntlambela reflects a broader infrastructure crisis in the province, which has historically had one of the highest numbers of mud schools in South Africa. While government initiatives like the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Development Initiative (ASIDI) have reduced this number, many communities still endure unsafe learning conditions.
A reporter who visited the school, described it as “appalling,” with collapsing ceilings, damaged floors, and rusted gates. Despite repeated appeals to district officials, residents say they have been told their school remains on a waiting list.
Calls for Urgent Intervention
As the new school term begins, the community vows to continue fighting for a safer learning environment. “We have knocked on every door, but no one listens,” a protester said. “Our children deserve better.”
The Eastern Cape Department of Education has yet to provide a concrete timeline for rebuilding the school, leaving Ntlambela’s learners in limbo.