Dulcie September Primary faces overcrowding, safety hazards, and leadership issues

Rabie Ridge’s Dulcie September Primary School is buckling under pressure, with overcrowded classrooms, hazardous construction delays, and weak leadership putting children’s safety and education at risk.

When The Star visited the school on July 29, the scene was chaotic and alarming. Learners played and sat idly around the school premises after the day was abruptly dismissed, without any prior notice to parents. Those living nearby were quickly collected, but many children relying on transport were left unattended, exposed to open trenches and scattered construction equipment that posed serious safety risks.

Yolanda Base, a distraught grandmother, shared her anguish over her granddaughter’s recent injury on school grounds. A sharp piece of construction debris cut the child’s ear, a frightening incident that could have been far worse.

“They took her to the clinic, and thank God it wasn’t worse, but she got hurt at school, a place where she’s supposed to be safe. It breaks my heart. They don’t care about us or our children. How could they let this happen?” Base said, her voice trembling with pain.

Dulcie September Primary was built to accommodate 1,500 learners but currently hosts over 2,700. Classrooms designed for 25 to 30 children are crammed with 50 to 60 pupils. This staggering overcrowding creates an unmanageable and unsafe learning environment.

Community leader and mother of two, Shedean Bennered described the mobile classrooms as structurally unsound.

“Some of the mobile classrooms are broken, without windows, and the wooden floors wobble when you walk in. Imagine 60 children packed inside those. It’s a disaster waiting to happen, yet our kids are expected to learn there,” she said.

Construction delays have prolonged exposure to dangerous conditions, including exposed electrical wiring and open trenches across the school grounds. On top of this, parents revealed another recent safety incident: a learner was hit by a car outside the school gates, a tragedy they attribute to poor security and lack of vigilance.

Parents also raised concerns about academic delays, with many learners yet to receive second-term report cards. 

“Only about 20% of our kids can read properly. The rest are struggling, and nothing is being done,” one parent lamented.

Frustration with the Department of Education’s handling of the crisis is mounting. Many parents questioned why learners were not relocated to safer schools during construction, accusing officials of negligence that endangers children and disrupts learning.

Further fueling anger are allegations against the school’s principal, accused of weak leadership and allowing teachers to arrive late without consequences. Parents claim the principal regularly drinks at a local tavern, undermining trust in his ability to manage the school effectively.

“Our children are suffering in dangerous, overcrowded classrooms while the principal shows no leadership,” a parent said. “He’s out drinking while we’re fighting to protect our kids’ futures. How can we trust a system that doesn’t care if our children are safe or learning?”

The Rabie Ridge community is demanding immediate intervention. They want learners moved to safer facilities while construction continues, the principal removed, and stronger oversight to ensure the safety and quality of education.

Speaking to The Star, Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department is aware of the issues at Dulcie September Primary and has taken steps to address them, with classes set to resume on August 4.

Mabona explained that the contractor completed the relocation of mobile classrooms within the set timeline, clarifying that their responsibility was limited to moving the structures, not performing repairs or upgrades. He added that the department has appointed professionals to monitor the work and ensure it meets the necessary standards.

He further stated that there are no open trenches, and visible wires are safe. Some trenches were caused by the theft of school materials.

“There are no open trenches, and while some wires are visible, they are not live or hazardous. It is important to note that trenches were at some point created by some community members who stole some materials from the school.” Mabona said.

He added that The MEC’s office has been actively involved throughout and continues to engage with the School Governing Body.

With overcrowded classrooms, hazardous construction conditions, water shortages disrupting learning, and leadership failures deepening the crisis, Dulcie September Primary exemplifies South Africa’s urgent education challenges, demanding immediate and concrete action.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za