21/10/2026
UNANNOUNCED OVERSIGHT VISIT: EERSTERUST SECONDARY SCHOOL
MPL Mike Waters and MP Nazley Sharif conducted an unannounced oversight visit at Eersterust Secondary School, and what they encountered raises serious concerns about the conditions under which learners and teachers are expected to function.
The situation at this school cannot continue to be ignored.
INSUFFICIENT CLASSROOMS:
There are not enough usable classrooms, and those currently being used do not meet the standard required for a conducive learning environment.
UNACCEPTABLE SANITATION:
The school’s bathrooms are severely damaged, leaving learners and teachers to share toilets.
COMPROMISED SECURITY:
Significant gaps in the school’s perimeter fencing leave the premises vulnerable to unauthorised access and criminal activity.
CHILDREN GOING HUNGRY:
There is currently no feeding scheme because the kitchen lacks the necessary cooking equipment. Instead of repairing the gas stoves, the Gauteng Department of Education has reportedly opted to close the kitchen. Learners are now given uncooked food to take home, leaving them without the prepared meals they depend on during the school day.
INADEQUATE TEACHING AND LEARNING:
There appear to be too few teachers on the premises, and concerns have been raised about teachers not being in classrooms. This compromises the time learners spend receiving instruction.
SEVERELY REDUCED LEARNING TIME:
Learners are currently attending school on a rotational timetable, with some only attending on designated days for approximately three hours. Yet these same children are still expected to meet academic requirements and pass.
How can we expect our children to succeed when they are being denied the basic conditions necessary to learn?
This situation has continued for far too long. The Gauteng Department of Education must answer for the ongoing conditions at this school and explain what concrete steps will be taken to address these failures.
Our children deserve proper classrooms, safe facilities, adequate teaching time and access to nutritious meals. These are not luxuries. They are fundamental requirements for meaningful education.
The DA will not allow Eersterust Secondary School to be left in this condition. We will continue to escalate these concerns, demand accountability and follow up with the relevant authorities until meaningful action is taken.
Our children deserve better. Their education cannot keep being put on hold. Enough is enough!
