GDE said that about 30 schools were damaged by fire in the last five years, but only 16 were repaired.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has expanded in detail the progress of repairing schools damaged by fire.
In recent years, many schools have moved into flames, especially in 11 classes at Riverly High School in April.
In a written response to the questions presented in the Provincial Legislature, education Mat Matome Chiloane signed details related to efforts and precautions taken by schools.
Only half schools were repaired
GDE recently confirmed that 29 schools were damaged by fire since 2021-22 financial years.
Six of these 29 schools have been repaired by GDE at a cost of R9.3 million – about one per year at an average cost of R15 million per year.
However, an additional 10 schools were fixed using insurance companies, school governing bodies donations or funds provided by private sponsors.
The repair in 13 schools is still outstanding, and the projects have been handed over to another government department since then.
“It should be noted that the disadvantages were of such nature that the disadvantages were required to do it in the affected schools,” said Chiloni said.
“In this regard, the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development was sent to implement the work,” explained.
Assessment and reports on arrears repair are still pending, so the values of the remaining projects have not been determined.
Lack of fire resources
Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education Sergio DOS Santos stressed that schools were not properly equipped to deal with fire.
“We demand a comprehensive review of current safety measures to identify weaknesses and develop solutions to ensure the safety of our schools and to ensure the safety of our learners,” he said, “he said.
Most of the fire occurred after hours, and in the reverly fire case, the police is investigating a suspicious case of arson.
Dos Santos said, “By setting fire, our schools are deliberately sabotage unacceptable and should be condemned.”
GDE reported that schools were left unsafe to set fire as only basic response tools were present due to lack of resources.
GDE said, “Due to financial obstacles, there are fire fighting safety measures in schools, such as fire extinguishers and fire alarms,” GDE said.
School safety measures
These interval are full of training and awareness programs as well as school security committees.
GDE It is said that the current security protocols were ‘limited’, but focused on basic fire fighting and first aid training for students and teachers.
Additionally, members of the security committee are mandatory to promote fire safety in schools, identify potential threats and contribute to the school management team.
The GDE states that training is constant and teachers include emergency situations waiting for professional respondents.
The department said, “Schools are sent to schools to promote compliance with safety equipment and schools are always directed to ensure annual maintenance for equipment to be functional.”
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