Cosmos Junior Primary School in Johannesburg is facing a startling reality of overcrowding as it reportedly has 92 Grade 1 learners crammed in one classroom.
These stark revelations were recently made by the DA during an oversight inspection at various local schools in Cosmo City.
The blue party discovered that the school also accommodates 87 Grade 2 learners in a single classroom, while the average teacher-to-learner ratio is one educator for every 73 learners.
The DA MEC for Education in Gauteng, Sergio Isa Dos Santos, said the school has 2793 learners enrolled, which exceeded its required capacity of 1024.
Dos Santos expressed worry that the current learning environment at Cosmos Junior Primary School is not conducive and endangers the lives of both teachers and learners.
“This learning environment, bursting at the seams, deprives learners of a nurturing space to flourish and develop their unique potential,” said Dos Santos.
He added overcrowding still persists in schools even after the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) pledged to establish 4000 satellite schools for relief last month.
The school is not only facing a major infrastructure crisis forcing learners to be crammed in class or learn outside under a tree, but there is poor sanitation.
“The school faces a shortage of furniture. Many learners do not have desks to use in classrooms, and some teachers have to accommodate three learners at desks meant for two. Due to a shortage of classroom space, many learners are forced to be taught sitting outside under a tree.
“Inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of human resources worsen the situation. The school has only 24 toilets for nearly 3000 learners, and many of these toilets are in poor condition,” said Dos Santos.
The school is functioning on autopilot as there is no permanent principal appointed - the acting principal is burdened by an overwhelming number of learners without sufficient support.
“This crisis reflects a broader pattern of neglect within the education system,” said Dos Santos.
The DA is pressuring the GDE to immediately resolve overcrowding in schools across the province by providing additional mobile classrooms and other essential resources, and upgrading infrastructure.
“We also urge the department to pursue a permanent solution to the inadequate facilities, ensuring learners have access to safe and conducive learning environments,” said Dos Santos.
The GDE responded to The Star, stating it is aware of the overcrowding crisis in schools.
“We did indicate during the learner placement period, that because of pressure experienced in certain areas, some schools will be overcrowded.
“We are establishing a satellite school in the said area, which will assist to alleviate pressure from the overcrowded school,” said the GDE.
The DA Gauteng will submit questions to the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, to ascertain whether the 4000 satellite schools have been established and the exact locations, said Dos Santos.
The Star