http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=331680

Stun grenades end ‘horror school’ protest

2009/07/22

POLICE fired stun grenades yesterday during a protest by East London pupils against the dilapidated state of Lumko High School in Duncan Village.

Their plan was to march to the Department of Education’s office to list their grievances – which include having sewage run through their classrooms and having to sit 60 to a room – to the MEC of Education.

According to them, the department has been promising them a new school for the past 15 years.

But police were called to disperse them when they disrupted lessons after demanding entry into neighbouring Ebenezer Majombozi High School.

They marched there in the hope that Ebenezer pupils would march with them to the MEC’s office to show their support. They had already mobilised pupils from Qaqamba High School.

When the Ebenezer Majombozi High School principal refused to allow them entry, they tore the school’s gate open.

Police dispersed them using stun grenades and threatened the pupils with rubber bullets.

Police spokesperson Captain Stephen Marais said two stun grenades were fired by police to disperse the toyi- toying pupils .

“They were blocking the road and the police tried to calm them down. Only two stun grenades were fired to stop them from walking in the middle of the road disturbing the flow of traffic.”

The students carried placards that read: “We want school, we have rights, no more empty promises.”

Vuyani Mkonqo, leader of the school governing body, said a number of people claiming to represent the department had visited the school in May, and had noted the conditions. They wrote a list of all of the students’ and teachers’ grievances.

Top of the list from both was the appalling conditions of the bathrooms, which they claimed were beyond repair .

According to them, the toilets no longer flush and had become so clogged that sewage spilt into the classrooms.

Pupils complained that at times they have to jump over human excrement to get into classrooms, and then endure the smell during lessons.

Mkonqo also said teachers complained about classrooms being too small to accommodate the 900 pupils who attend the school.

According to them, at times they have to teach 60 or more pupils at a time in a room that should hold no more than 30.

They also said there were not enough chairs and desks so that some pupils were forced to sit on the floor.

Pupils complained that when it rained water came through the roof .

Angry student Chumani Quluba said: “There are no lights in the classrooms. Doors don’t close properly. Rainwater gets in on rainy days. We get so cold in winter from the broken windows.”

Other students said there were no science laboratories or sports field.

Leader of the student representative council Nonstikelelo Joyi said that members of the Education Department met with her and teachers in early May. Proposals for a new school were discussed, and they were shown the building plans.

They also introduced three men who were apparently organising temporary prefabs while the school was being built. The department also allegedly promised buses to transport pupils to the new premises.

On Monday, the first day of term, the pupils waited for the buses, which did not arrive, and then walked to the new premises which did not exist.

Angry parents were also present. One of them, Linda Mamase, also a member of the school governing body, said they were told of the new school and the prefab classrooms but asked to meet the MEC to confirm everything, as the last time land was earmarked it was said to have been sold for Public Works. Another parent said he was tired of the “huge rats that constantly ate” his children’s lunch.

Despite numerous attempts, the Education Department could not be reached for comment. – By ZISANDA NKONKOBE