The rights of pupils at Greenville Primary School in Gqeberha are being violated daily and in the worst way.
This is according to the commissioner of the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Chris Nissen, who visited the school to see the plight of the pupils and their teachers first-hand.
Nissen was at Greenville Primary in Bethelsdorp on Friday following an invitation from community activist Christian Martin, who has actively been engaging stakeholders to restore the school, and to make it a safe and conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Greenville has been plagued by crumbling infrastructure that has caused the building to become completely dilapidated, a lack of water and electricity, a spate of break-ins, theft, vandalism and, most recently, a fire that destroyed books in the blaze.
Following his visit to the school on Friday, Nissen described what he had seen as “horrible”.
“The rights of the learners are being violated left, right and centre.
“Their rights to safety, a quality education, and their protection, to name a few, are not being protected.
“Those teachers must be commended for showing up for the learners.
“It takes guts to teach under such horrible circumstances every day,” Nissen said.
Martin said he appreciated Nissen and the SAHRC taking time to visit the school.
“We, myself, parents, and the broader community, have been stating that what is allowed to happen at the school violates the learners’ human rights.
“I am glad that the SAHRC agrees and has committed themselves to take the matter further.”
Nissen promised to take the matter up with the department of education on Monday.
“They have to step in and address this situation as a matter of urgency,” he said.
The cause of a fire that broke out at the school last week is still under investigation.
It is believed one of the pupils set fire to the books and a cupboard in the storeroom due to frustrations with the poor infrastructure and a lack of facilities at the school.
After thieves broke into the school and made off with most of the blackboards earlier this month, Martin, parents, the police, members of the crime prevention forum and the broader community convened a meeting with the owners of scrap yards in the school precinct.
Those in attendance and scrap metal owners have in the meantime committed themselves to make a monthly contribution to pay security guards to safeguard the school.
A classroom was cleaned out and painted, which will serve as the base from which security operations will be conducted.
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