Polokwane - Poor infrastructure at a Limpopo school had resulted in rain damaging textbooks and pupils missing lessons, Section27 said on Wednesday.
“A few days earlier, at Jaji Secondary School, teachers and pupils held (up) umbrellas inside the classrooms while lessons were conducted,” it said in a statement.
The organisation said it had found “shocking” infrastructure when one of its representatives visited the school, which is situated in the Vhembe district, last month.
The leaks had damaged textbooks, stationary and electronic equipment.
The rain also destroyed a small bridge, resulting in pupils, teachers and the principal not being able to get to the school.
The Limpopo education department accused Section27 of “grandstanding”.
“It is unfortunate that Section27 decided to grandstand and declare themselves champions of service delivery in our schools,” said spokesman Pat Kgomo.
“We welcome their continuous engagements with us, but not to the extent of them overstating their importance over the department.”
Kgomo said the infrastructure at Jaji and other schools was being addressed.
The public works department had been asked to help refurbish five leaking classroom blocks at Jaji.
“The refurbishments will be completed by the end of the month. We have also engaged the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) to build extra toilets at the school.”
Section27 said it would hold a media briefing on Thursday about its findings at the school. - Sapa