IN a stark illustration of South Africa's ongoing education crisis, Cosmo City Junior Primary School is a microcosm of the challenges faced by the nation's schools.
An astonishing 80 children are crammed into a single Grade 1 classroom, a situation that has raised grave concerns about the quality of education that young learners receive.
As teachers grapple with the overwhelming task of providing meaningful instruction in such cramped conditions, the dreams of these vulnerable children risk being stifled.
This alarming situation unfolds against the backdrop of President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address on Thursday, where he outlined ambitious plans to improve the education system, emphasising the need for expanded access to early childhood development and a commitment to training more qualified teachers.
However, as classrooms overflow and resources dwindle, the urgent question remains: will these promises translate into real change for South Africa's children?
When the Saturday Star visited the school earlier this week, we counted around 80 children in the classroom we were shown, a number lower than the 92 reported by the DA following an oversight visit the day before.
The classroom was overcrowded, with learners' bags left outside to create space. Parents gathered outside the school shared their suspicions that the school had been tipped off about the media visit and had likely made efforts to manage the situation beforehand, as conditions had been worse the day before.
Apart from overcrowding, the school faces a shortage of furniture. Many learners do not have desks to use in classrooms, and some teachers have to accommodate three learners at desks meant for two.
Frustrated parents also expressed their dismay over the ongoing admission challenges, reporting that many of their children are still unplaced.
Katlego Segole shared her arduous journey in securing a spot for her child, revealing the complications she faced with the online application process.
“I applied for my child the first time when it opened; I then realised that the very same day that I had applied to did not have Afrikaans, and my child is supposed to be doing Afrikaans, so I deleted my profile and then redid it. When I went back to check my online application, I realised that they had given space in a school that I didn't apply for. I started enquiring about a change in November last year because it is far and did not have the languages for my child. I was given run-arounds until schools reopened. I was told to go to the district.”
Zoliswa Kave, another concerned parent, expressed her heartbreak regarding her five-year-old son. Unwilling to send him to crèche again due to financial constraints, Kave wanted him to start Grade R at the same school as his brother.
“My child is 5 years old; she is supposed to repeat a grade because I do not have money for him to go to creche again; my husband is not working. It is me alone that is hustling. So I wanted him to do Grade R here his brother is also here.So last year they told me that they are considering that his brother is here because I cannot take my child in Tirisano because it will need transport,” she said, reflecting the mounting frustrations faced by many parents in the area.
The inadequate facilities extend beyond overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of toilets. Parents have noted a severe lack of furniture, with many students forced to share desks or learn outdoors under trees due to the unavailability of adequate classroom space.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA), after undertaking oversight inspections in Cosmo City, is placing pressure on education officials to respond effectively to the crisis.
The party is calling for immediate action, including the addition of mobile classrooms and essential resources to better support the burgeoning student population.
“We demand that the GDE take immediate action by providing additional mobile classrooms and essential resources to address the overcrowding crisis in our schools throughout the province. We also urge the department to pursue a permanent solution to the inadequate facilities, ensuring learners have access to safe and conducive learning environments.
“We will continue to fight for the rights of our children, ensuring they receive quality education and conducive learning environments,” said Sergio Isa Dos Santos, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education.
Responding to the parents' grievances, Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona acknowledged the overcrowding issue, stating, “We did indicate during the learner placement period that because of pressure experienced in certain areas, some schools will be overcrowded. We are establishing a satellite school in the said area, which will assist to alleviate pressure from the overcrowded school.”
Mabona also addressed allegations of bribery regarding school admissions, inviting parents to provide evidence for investigation.
The plight of South African schools is further heightened by recent incidents, such as the bullying case at Sutherland High School in Centurion, which went viral due to footage captured by the victim’s mother.
Such occurrences have led to increased public interest in the state of school safety, with the department vowing to monitor the situation closely and ensure all necessary support measures are executed thoroughly.
Saturday Star