Over 2,300 Learners Packed Into Reiger Park
Boksburg – More than 2,300 learners at Reiger Park Secondary School are crammed into classrooms, many forced to stand during lessons because of a dire shortage of chairs and tables, exposing deep-rooted neglect by the Gauteng Department of Education that has turned education into a daily struggle for dignity and focus.
This crisis, spotlighted during a recent oversight visit, shows how basic needs like proper seating and safe spaces are slipping away, leaving young minds to battle not just their studies but also an environment that hinders learning. With classes bulging at 50 to 60 pupils each, far above ideal numbers, the situation has sparked urgent calls for action from opposition voices who blame the current leadership for letting things slide.
The Harsh Reality Inside Reiger Park Classrooms
At Reiger Park Secondary, the roll call hits 2,319 learners, but the setup falls woefully short. Some classes unfold in mobile units that lack essentials – no desks, no chairs, no electricity to power lights or fans, and often no proper windows to let in air or keep out the elements. Every morning turns into a race as kids dash to snag whatever furniture is available, turning what should be a calm start to the day into a chaotic scramble.
This isn’t just about comfort; it’s about health and safety too. Without enough seats, learners stand for hours, leading to fatigue that makes concentrating tough. Poor ventilation in these makeshift rooms raises risks of stuffy air and even illness spreading faster in tight spaces. Teachers, stretched thin, find it hard to give each child the attention they deserve, turning interactive lessons into one-way talks that leave many behind.
The school’s woes mirror a pattern seen across Ekurhuleni and beyond, where rapid population growth and migration have swelled enrolment numbers. Recent figures show over 150,000 foreign learners now in Gauteng schools, adding to the strain on resources that were already stretched. In high-pressure zones like this, classrooms meant for 30 or 40 often hold double that, pushing learner-to-educator ratios to 32.8 in secondary schools – a slight rise from past years that signals ongoing overload.
Oversight Visit Uncovers Systemic Failures
During a hands-on check at the school, the cracks in the system became impossible to ignore. Mobile classrooms, meant as quick fixes, stand as symbols of delay, with bare floors and empty spaces where desks should be. No power means lessons halt when the sun dips, and missing windows expose everyone to dust, noise, and weather whims. These findings point to a broader desertion, where promises of support fade into forgotten files.
Opposition members have zeroed in on this, urging Education MEC Matome Chiloane to step in fast. They argue the department has turned a blind eye, letting backlogs pile up while kids pay the price. This visit isn’t the first red flag; similar spots across Gauteng echo the same complaints, from Soweto to Braamfischerville, where schools like Siyabonga Secondary have ballooned beyond their limits, enrolling 370 in spaces built for 320.
The push for answers grows louder as nearly 2,000 pupils remain unplaced province-wide, even weeks into the term. Earlier chaos saw 3,000 grade 1 and 8 learners scrambling for spots, with parents queuing for hours only to face rejection. To cope, officials have begged schools to stretch by 10% to 20%, squeezing in extras through makeshift halls or shifts – but this just amps up the overcrowding without solving the root mess.
Broader Gauteng Education Crisis Exposed
This isn’t a one-off glitch; it’s part of a crumbling setup under the Premier Panyaza Lesufi-led government, critics charge. Infrastructure drags, with no new school projects handed over last year despite dire needs. Delays plague builds like Thubelihle Intermediate at 80% done, or Bafeti LSEN School at 62%, both eyeing finishes months away. Budget squeezes hit hard, skimping on fixes for furniture, lighting, and ventilation that could make spaces workable.
Across the province, 292 primary and 277 secondary schools sit under “high pressure,” battling the same shortages. Promises of 4,000 satellite schools to ease the load remain just talk, with calls for clarity on their status going unanswered. Maintenance funds vanish into thin air, leaving schools to fend alone while enrolment climbs – from changing ratios showing primaries at 33.8 learners per teacher, up from better days.
These gaps erode quality, turning potential into frustration. Overcrowded rooms stifle creativity, with no space for group work or hands-on activities. Health takes a hit too, as poor air and tight quarters breed stress and sickness. In places like Cosmo City or Rust-ter Vaal, new builds offer glimmers, but they’re drops in a bucket against the tide of demand fueled by urban growth and unmet plans.
Calls for Accountability and Real Change
The Democratic Alliance has laid out a roadmap for turnaround, vowing to prioritise smart planning tied to real enrolment data if in charge. They’d lock in budgets for upkeep, speed up furniture buys, and hold feet to the fire for slip-ups. Mobile units would meet basics – safe, wired, and equipped – ensuring no child learns in the dark or on their feet.
They push for a Gauteng run with focus on prepping kids for jobs or further studies, not patching endless holes. This means tackling the backlog head-on, with billions needed to build and fix. Without it, the cycle spins on, robbing a generation of fair shots.
Officials admit the crunch but point to interventions like extra spots and ongoing talks. Yet, with protests brewing and parents weary, the pressure builds for more than words. As the year rolls, eyes stay on leaders to deliver desks, space, and hope.
A Path to Better Learning Environments
Looking ahead, fixing this demands teamwork – from beefing up security against vandalism to community input on needs. Innovative tweaks, like modular builds or tech for tracking spots, could cut delays. For now, at Reiger Park and beyond, the fight is for basics that let learning thrive, reminding all that education’s foundation starts with a seat at the table.
In a province buzzing with potential, these hurdles highlight the urgent need for investment and oversight. As voices rise, the goal remains clear: safe, equipped schools where every learner can chase dreams without standing in line.
🔴Central News Special Edition | Issue 122: Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Suspended Ekurhuleni Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi Vows ‘I Can’t Go to Jail and Leave My Kids’ Amid Blue Lights Saga Scrutiny 🔴
Download here⬇️⬇️⬇️
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube