Pupils ‘forced to sleep on the floor’

File picture: Phill Magakoe

File picture: Phill Magakoe

Published Jan 30, 2015

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Cape Town - A school hostel near Clanwilliam is so full that some children have to sleep in a classroom while others have to share beds.

Save our Schools co-ordinator Vanessa le Roux said they had received a complaint that children at Elizabethfontein Primary, about 35km north of Clanwilliam, have to share beds in the hostel or sleep on mattresses on the floor in a classroom since the hostel is full.

One parent, Mariaan Nel, said her son had told her that he had to share a bed with another pupil.

Other pupils had reported that they had to sleep in a classroom.

“This is a disgrace. The school and the Western Cape Education Department should have known how many children need space, and planned ahead,” Le Roux said.

Western Cape Education Department spokesman Paddy Attwell said Elizabethfontein was a popular school and the hostel was overcrowded.

It had ordered 28 bunk beds, due for delivery next month.

“According to the school, no learners are sharing beds. Some are sleeping on mattresses on the floor.”

The circuit team would work with Elizabethfontein to ease pressure on the school.

“The current situation is unacceptable. The school is well aware of this and has taken steps to expand the capacity of the hostel.”

Meanwhile, the mother of a pupil with special education needs said her daughter had been told she could no longer take the school bus from Clanwilliam to Elizabethfontein.

Margaret Nel said that on the first day of the academic year her daughter, Abigail, who used the bus last year, was told she could no longer use it.

She said the school told her it had sent a letter last year informing her that her daughter had to move into the hostel.

“How can I move her into a hostel that is already full - and I never received a letter.”

Abigail is not back at school.

Attwell said the department provided transport for pupils in poor communities who live more than 5km from their nearest school. “Many live in Clanwilliam and do not qualify for transport because Elizabethfontein is not their nearest school.” Abigail could attend Cederberg Primary, which had a special needs class.

Cape Argus

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