Nomampondo Plaatjie
MAKUKHANYE Primary School in Jeffreys Bay has a huge shortage of funds.
The school, which has more than 800 pupils, has not received any money from the education department since the beginning of the year.
Principal, Zanoxolo Kama, said this is just one of many challenges they face.
The pupils do not pay fees as Makukhanye is a "no fee” school.
"Until now we have been relying on donations,” said Kama.
The current teacher shortage that is experienced throughout the Eastern Cape is another challenge Kama faces. Makukhanye has five temporary teachers, one of whom Kama said has not been paid for the past six months.
"I can't expect people to deliver if they are not getting paid.”
Praising his staff he says despite all the challenges they experience their morale "is high”.
Kama said the school, that has 47 pupils on average per classroom, is still growing.
"Attendance is very good,” he said.
The school has grown tremendously since it was started and hence the shortage of classrooms. The school does not have basics like playgrounds, sports fields, a library or even a caretaker to maintain the buildings.
Kama said he had forwarded an application for eight additional classrooms.
Kama says management of the school is also problematic.
"The school needs two deputies and several HOD's.”
However, Kama is optimistic following a meeting held by principals recently where it was confirmed that the money was scheduled to be paid out sometime this month.
