Schools left on shaky ground

ILLEGAL MINING: AUTHORITIES FORCED TO RELOCATE PUPILS, STAFF OR REHABILITATE FACILITIES

- Oratile Mashilo

Illegal mining and dolomitic ground conditions are putting several Gauteng schools at risk, with authorities forced to relocate or rehabilitate facilities in areas such as the west of Gauteng, south of Ekurhuleni and Centurion.

The Gauteng department of education (GDE) on Tuesday confirmed that 13 schools in affected zones have been placed on rehabilitation programmes due to safety concerns, including structural instability and environmental damage.

These include Boiteko Primary School in Carletonville, Laerskool Fleur and Laerskool Louis Leipoldt in Centurion.

In addition, schools near industrial areas, especially in Germiston, Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark, have reported deterioration in building materials caused by prolonged exposure to air pollution.

"The signs of pollution over a long period are seen through the dilapidation of concrete and masonry elements in the buildings," said the department.

"There is excessive carbonation of concrete and corrosion of reinforcement."

Eleven schools in the Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark regions are under rehabilitation. These include Laerskool Oospark, Setjhaba-Sohle Secondary School and Oliver Lodge Primary School.