http://writingrights.org/2010/09/26/eastern-cape-mud-schools-43-chairs-for-323-learners/

2010 09 26 Eastern Cape Mud Schools: 43 chairs for 323 learners

1.1   Eastern Cape Mud Schools: 43 chairs for 323 learners

In 2004, President Thabo Mbeki stated in his "state of the nation" address that all mud schools would be replaced within a year:

"- By the end of this financial year we shall ensure that there is no learner and student learning under a tree, mud-school or any dangerous conditions that expose learners and teachers to the elements;

- By the end of the current financial year we expect all schools to have access to clean water and sanitation."

For nearly 20 years, seven mud primary schools in the OR Tambo Municipality (Eastern Cape) have existed without water, decent sanitation, sufficient desks, chairs, brick structures and proper fences. They have heard the former President, many Ministers, Premiers and MECs all promise to eliminate "mud schools" by the "end of the year". This promise has been made almost every year for the last 10 years. They have written letters to the Education Department and sent petitions - almost every request for school buildings have been ignored.

Mr. Mbhopeni Sikiti, a parent of three children (Grade R and Grade 5) at Nomandla Senior Primary School makes a case against our government that demonstrates contempt for poor and working people in rural areas. In an affidavit to the Eastern Cape High Court gives an example of the Grade R learners:

As a result of the damage to classrooms caused by the storms, the entire foundation phase of the school (grade R to grade three) was accommodated in community members' homes until April 2010 when the new block of classrooms referred to above became usable. The Grade R class is still accommodated in a community member's home. As mentioned in the letter dated 26 June 2009, this is an extremely unsatisfactory arrangement as the class often has to be moved from one home to another. When owners need the room or rondavel they have provided to the school for other purposes, for example to store crops after harvest or when a family member returns home to visit, the principal is forced to seek alternative arrangements for the learners. At the time of signing this affidavit, the Grade R learners are accommodated in a person's "flat" made of mud bricks approximately one kilometre from the school.

His affidavit is reproduced below. The seven schools and Child Law Centre (University of Pretoria) supported by the Legal Resources Centre in Grahamstown have taken the government to Court. Every learner, teacher, parent and community member across the country must support these schools. We cannot accept the intellectual dispossession of our children any longer.

Will you get involved in spreading awareness about this case? Will you help organise support for the learners and their schools when they go to Court?

Every member of our ANC government must hang their heads in shame.

Zackie Achmat