Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
2-minute read
18 May 2025 | 09:37 CAT

Tanganani Primary School pupils, who’ve missed 5 months of school, attend classes for the first time since the start of the 2025 academic year. The school faced months of construction delays. (File-Photo: Sowetan LIVE)

A slow start to the academic year at Thanganani Primary School in Gauteng has caused concern among parents, as learners arrived to find a school still under construction and no permanent teachers in place. The Department of Education has since confirmed that the teacher recruitment process is underway, with classes temporarily led by subject advisors.

Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education, dismissed claims that children had been left without schooling, explaining that “most of them, they relocated around April”, and others transferred from independent schools due to financial constraints. He noted that many learners were temporarily accommodated in nearby schools, resulting in overcrowding while awaiting the completion of Thanganani Primary.

According to Mabona, “We had planned to open the school on the 5th of May,” but delays caused by interference from a local business forum forced the department to postpone both occupation and staff recruitment. “You could not advertise and appoint people that are going to be sitting without going into a school… that’s going to be a fruitless expenditure.”

Despite the absence of permanent staff, Mabona assured that “teaching is happening” through the efforts of subject advisors and departmental facilitators. Baseline assessments are currently being conducted while the department finalises interviews and vetting processes. “We took a decision in 2023 that all teachers and non-teaching employees… should go through the process of vetting,” he said, emphasising the department’s commitment to safety.

The school, which currently houses 185 learners, is expected to admit over 450 more in the coming weeks as classrooms are completed and permanent teachers placed. “Currently, we have only eight classes that are occupied… we still have 10 classes that are empty,” Mabona noted, highlighting ongoing infrastructure developments.

While critics argue the department should have reassigned teachers from other schools, Mabona stated, “That area is a high-pressure area… there’s no teacher that is in access.” Recruitment efforts are expected to be completed within two weeks.

Although the late start raises concerns about academic disruptions, the department maintains that learners “are coming with reports” and were not without schooling. For now, the focus remains on fast-tracking recruitment and stabilising teaching conditions at Thanganani Primary.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and spokesperson Steve Mabona here.