KZN Education MEC vows to tackle infrastructure and safety issues

KZN MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka addressing the Phikiswayo Primary School staff and media during his visit to the school, following an incident in which a Grade R teacher was gunned down on the premises in July. | Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers

KZN MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka addressing the Phikiswayo Primary School staff and media during his visit to the school, following an incident in which a Grade R teacher was gunned down on the premises in July. | Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers

Published Aug 28, 2024

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Durban — The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, vowed to address school infrastructure and safety during a visit to various schools on Tuesday.

He made this pledge during his visit to officially conduct a troubleshooting exercise at Mukelani Primary School in KwaMashu, which had a recent crime incident, the Phikiswayo Primary School in Ntuzuma where a teacher Duduzile Khumalo, 46, was gunned down last month and Verulam High School in Verulam which was hit by a tornado. Hlomuka said that school safety is important and there has to be unity from parents, teachers and all stakeholders in making the schooling environment friendly and productive.

However, he is going to make school safety and infrastructure a priority. He said he is grateful for the involvement of the community.

Hlomuka said that in the Khumalo incident, the gunman used a child to enter in the guise of a parent. Hlomuka said indications were this was an act of organised crime and that the security of the school could not be blamed.

Hlomuka said that he was pleased with the school and the cleanliness. But the water issue will be addressed.

Phikiswayo Primary School SGB chairperson Trevor Mbazo. | Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers

Governing body chairperson Trevor Mbazo requested that Hlomuka takes into account that the school was mostly temporary buildings and that it also does not have a budget and often relied on donations. Mbazo said that he was engaging with the National Treasury and there was a plan to address pressing issues.

“The foundation is important and that often reflects on their matric results,” he said.

National Teachers’ Union (Natu) chairperson Durban region, Phindile Mnabe, spoke about security and requested a groundsman for the school.

She said losing a teacher was a huge loss.

“We also ask for the school to be built,” said Mnabe.

Phikiswayo Primary School principal Mthokozisi Mchunu shows the KZN MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, where a Grade R teacher was tragically gunned down last month. | Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers

SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) chairperson Gedleyihlekisa Thabani Mngadi said that the community understood that the school was a societal matter.

Mngadi asked Hlomuka to approach the National Treasury for funds and address the security issues.

Mngadi said that he was happy that the department had announced posts for educators.

“Water has been an issue, and affects schooling as the schools often have to close early,” Mngadi said.

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