Cape Town - Schooling returned to normal at a Bonteheuwel primary school, which had only one toilet for more than 500 children, after mobile toilets were delivered on Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday the Cape Argus reported that pupils at Cedar Primary School had to stand in long queues on Monday to use the only toilet that remained undamaged after a recent arson attack.
Teachers had to walk to neighbouring schools to use the toilets. The school day ended early on Monday after most parents collected their children during the course of the morning. The school’s administration block was first burgled and then gutted in a suspected arson attack on March 29.
The principal’s office, a copy room, the staff room, the toilets, a kitchen and the secretary’s office were destroyed in the blaze.
Principal Carlin Symonds said it had not been the first time the school had been the target of vandals and burglars this year, and during the recent school holidays food from the school’s feeding scheme had been stolen, allegedly by security staff who had to guard the school.
On Monday, Jessica Shelver, spokeswoman for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said mobile toilets were supposed to have been delivered to the school by Friday and it was unclear why the supplier had not delivered them.
On Tuesday she said 18 toilets had been delivered.
“Three mobile classrooms have been ordered to accommodate the admin staff as an interim measure until the new admin block is built.”
Symonds said pupils had been able to start using the toilets by Tuesday morning. “I’m happy that things are starting to return to normal.”
Cape Argus