FINETOWN SECONDARY SCHOOL SHUTS DOWN DUE TO STRUCTURAL DEFICIENCIES
Written by Neo Molefi on July 22, 2024
By Lebohang Ndashe
Finetown Secondary School Pupils’ dilapidated toilets
On 22 July, Finetown Secondary School shutdown pausing all academic activities due to structural deficiencies, unconducive learning environment, inadequate resources and non-employment of local residents.
The peaceful protest follows a parents’ meeting on Saturday where objectives and demands where outlined. This marks one-year anniversary of last year’s shutdown, where residents complained about the same challenges.
Despite promises in 2015, the school is currently the only government secondary school in the township, still uses deteriorated mobile classrooms, offices and toilets.
Finetown Secondary School Classrooms
The school’s SGB Chairperson Sharon Themba told VOW FM News that the school’s dire infrastructure has physically injured pupils and teachers in the past.
“We have been promised brick and mortar structure since 2015 but nothing is happening and we have tried to engage with the MEC but no one is coming on board,” said Themba.
The school received donation from Corobrik to build a school hall however due to Gauteng Department of Education’s delay oversight inspections, the donation is now at risk of being redirected to the community instead.
Finetown School Parent
VOW FM News spoke one of the outraged parent, Nkosana Maseko who said that unfavorably weather conditions impacts the learning at school because educators prefer to be in the warm staff room than poorly maintained classrooms.
A concerned matric pupil, Thamisanqa Mahlangu told VOW FM News that the shutdown will intensive the already stressful phase that they currently endure.
Finetown Ward 6 Councillor, Solly Phometsi who was unaware of the shutdown told VOW FM News before addressing the community that the school’s management consists of individuals outside of the community hence they are apathetic towards the school’s development and the betterment of pupils.
Joyce On July 23, 2024 at 16:03
I am suggesting that the matric learners be given chance to attend because this shutdown will affect the matric results at the end of the year.
Daisy Mathoto On July 26, 2024 at 11:50
Pls let the matric students continue 🙏 😔 with lessons