A vandalised and neglected high school in Qonce’s CBD becomes an involuntary shelter for vagrants at night.
iQonce High School’s concerned school governing body (SGB) has blamed the education department for not providing security to safeguard the property, which belongs to the Buffalo City Metro, not the department.
Its infrastructure challenges include no proper fencing, broken windows and damaged furniture.
Despite the school being run from a municipal building in the CBD, it has pit toilets and has not had electricity for months.
The department has recommended the school relocate to Forbes Grant High in nearby Ginsberg, but this has been met with resistance from parents.
SGB chair Xolani Mbandazayo said it was a struggle to provide a suitable classroom or space for the matrics to write their exams, due to the building being frequently vandalised.
“It was vandalised by vagrants who came into the building and stole windows and other essentials.
“We had to make a plan because we were not getting help from the department.”
He said the school had been struggling with constant vandalism over the past five years.
Since its inception in the late 1990s, the school has been housed in the municipal building and various temporary structures.
iQonce High obtained a matric pass of 82.9% in 2023 but this dropped to 60% in 2024.
“The education department said they could not assist because the building does not belong to them,” Mbandazayo said.
In January 2024, the Dispatch reported that concerned Qonce community members planned to petition education MEC Fundile Gade in a bid to compel him to rebuild the school.
The online petition, posted on change.org, was started by Ginsberg resident and community activist Nhlanhla Mosele in September, and so far has about 2,808 signatures.
The provincial education department said it was aware of the school’s condition, but was adamant it would not construct a new building, saying the school management should relocate to nearby Forbes Grant High.
But Mbandazayo said when it came to comparing Forbes Grant High and iQonce, there was no difference in their surroundings.
He said there was now a deadlock between the department and the school and parents.
“We are making attempts with the parents to relocate the school but we are faced with resistance.
“They feel that not much is being done by the department.”
Mbandazayo said it was apparent the department was withdrawing support and resources, which would leave the school with no choice but to relocate.
“We have visited the mayor’s office to appeal to them to maintain the school since the property belongs to them.”
It was an overstatement even to call the property a school since it was not safe, and close to drug dens and a liquor outlet, he said.
The municipality had not responded to the SGB’s appeals.
Education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the department had a series of engagements with the school to move it to Forbes Grant.
“Unfortunately, we experienced resistance. The school requested transport for the pupils to travel to Forbes, but, unfortunately, they don’t qualify for scholar transport.
“Despite that, we continue to believe that since we share a common goal of ensuring that every learner gets quality public education in a conducive environment, they will ultimately join us in this quest since their co-operation is critical.
“This will ensure that the issue is resolved and teaching time protected.”
Daily Dispatch
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