The Limpopo Department of Basic Education confirmed that the focus in the new financial year would be to reprioritise projects put on hold because of budgetary constraints. This may mean that Maswie Secondary School may at long last receive the much-needed permanent classrooms.

reported in December 2022 about the shortage of classes at the school. Learners had to be taught outside under the trees. The education department responded by delivering mobile classrooms later in 2023 to try and alleviate the problem of overcrowding. It also stated that the school was on the priority list to receive permanent classrooms.

“Indeed, the school is on the priority list of the department. The list has been submitted to relevant institutions for approval and funding. The department, during the 2023/2024 financial year, had to undergo budget cuts that meant some of the planned projects had to be put on hold,” said Mr Mosebjane Kgaffe, the spokesperson for the department.

However, the Tshakhuma branch of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) has expressed grave concern over the Limpopo Department of Basic Education’s delay in constructing permanent classrooms at this school. Despite repeated promises, the department has failed to deliver on its commitment to build new classrooms, SANCO said.

In March this year, SANCO wrote to the department to seek an update on the progress of the project but has yet to receive a response. “We were promised that permanent classrooms would be built in the 2023/2024 financial year, but nothing has happened. We are now in the 2024/2025 financial year, and still, there is no sign of progress,” said Joel Mulaudzi, secretary of SANCO’s Tshakhuma branch.

Mulaudzi said that the situation at Maswie Secondary School was dire, with Grade 10 learners being taught in a shed. The overcrowding at the school was due to the closure of the maths stream at the nearby Mavhungu Andries Secondary School.

“We cannot allow our children to continue learning in such conditions. The department must take responsibility and deliver on its promises,” said Mulaudzi.