The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Infrastructure Development & Property Management has welcomed the long-awaited official handover of Mayibuye Primary School to the community of Mayibuye in Tembisa which took place yesterday, 7 February 2024.
The successful handover of Mayibuye Primary School signifies a significant milestone in the journey towards ensuring equitable access to quality education for all learners in the community.
The Committee had to intervene following complaints from members of the Mayibuye community about the delayed occupation of the school since its completion in 2017.
Through its intervention the Committee conducted several oversight visits to the school to establish the cause of the delay and also held a series of meetings with relevant departments to find ways of unlocking blockages that contributed towards the delayed occupation of the school.
At some point the Committee was outraged after receiving reports that the school was built on a wetland which was the main reason why an occupancy certificate was not issued. However, these reports were later disputed, and it was established that the problem at the school was due to a sewer line which needed to be redirected.
This still remains a concern to the Committee as the Committee believes that such delays should be avoided and urges the Provincial Government to ensure that those who are responsible for this delay are being held accountable.
The Committee acknowledges the collective role played by the MEC for Infrastructure Development & Property Management Mr Lebogang Maile, Head of Department Ms Masabata Mutlaneng, the Schooling Community of Mayibuye including the SGB as well as the current Contractor in overcoming the obstacles that hindered the timely occupation of the school.
The official hand over of the school brings much needed comfort to the Committee as the delayed handover has been a source of both pain and frustration to the Committee particularly witnessing the horrific learning environment which the learners of Mayibuye were taught under.
The Committee is today pleased that Learners from Mayibuye will be taught in an environment that will not only uplift their dignity, but boost their morale and ultimately motivate them to do well and excel academically.
This will also encourage educators to focus more on the sustained delivery of quality education and promote meaningful learning experiences for learners.
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ISSUED BY GPL’S MEDIA SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, HONOURABLE BONES MODISE
For interview requests with the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee please contact: Mr Thebe Khumalo on 011 498 5948 / 072 266 1021 or TKhumalo@gpl.gov.za
