The toilets at Baitshoki Secondary School in the North West. (Photo: Nthusang Lefafa)
Deur Numsang Lefafa, GroundUp
A contract for a telephone and photocopier that a school in the North West failed to pay is now having a major ripple effect on pupils who are now forced to learn in unhygienic test rooms.
More than 789 pupils of the Baitshoki Secondary School in Itsoseng near Lichtenburg are now forced to use dirty, broken toilets after a court order was made against the school for non-payment of rental agreements.
The school’s walls are also in danger of collapsing, and there are numerous classrooms with collapsed ceilings and floors.
Two rental agreements were entered into by the school in March 2020. One was for a telephone system from Sunlyn at R2 000 per month for 60 months. It was agreed that the contract price would be increased by 15% every year, bringing the total cost of the agreement to approximately R160 000. Overdue amounts would be charged at 6% above the prime interest rate.
A similar agreement was entered into for two photocopiers from Corporate Rental Solutions (CRS) at R7 590 per month. This means the total amount would be approximately R615 000. Moreover, at the end of the contract, the school would have to return the machines because they were not or would become the owners.
However, during the national lockdown during the covid-19 pandemic, the telephone system was stolen and the photocopiers subsequently damaged in a burglary.
By January 2022, the school was more than R20 000 and R57 000 in arrears on the respective contracts.
In September, a judgment was issued against the school in the amount of R147 000 for the telephone system and R459 000 for the photocopiers. In addition, interest at prime plus 6% is due on the amounts calculated from 25 January 2022.
The court also found that the school is liable for the return of the system and machines and must also pay the legal costs of the application.
Sasfin, the company that collected the debt, said in a statement in November last year that the account balance amounted to R294 000 for the telephone system and R156 000 for the two machines.
The school’s legal team has now approached the Department of Basic Education. In a letter they write to the department that even with a repayment plan at R80 000 per year, it will be “like throwing the money down a bottomless pit” because in three or even four years the school will pay four times the capital amount it originally owed.
The school also cannot pay the money itself after their bank account has been frozen in between.
Teko Mkhwanazi, the outgoing school governing body member responsible for infrastructure, said there were no funds available for the outstanding account or for the school.
He added that he had already tried several times to get mobile toilets for pupils, but that the district office of the department was silent.
The dire conditions at their school make pupils discouraged. “It is difficult to focus on your studies in such circumstances,” said a learner who wished to remain anonymous.
“The toilets are dirty and broken. Sometimes there is no water. We feel neglected”.
Vuyo Mantshule, spokesperson for the North-West Education Department, said when asked that the ongoing lawsuit surrounding the school’s finances is being controlled by the district office.
“The Baitshoki school project is currently in the planning and procurement phase, with implementation expected in the 2026-27 financial year. Final timelines remain subject to procurement processes and budget approvals,” added Mantshule.
- This post was originally by GroundUp posted and used with permission.