Protests shut schools in Limpopo

Angry parents shut down the SDW Nxumalo Secondary School in Limpopo. 

This is the second school in the province to be shut down on Tuesday. 

Parents are protesting against a lack of teachers and textbooks.

School governing body representative Thomson Hobyane says: "We only got one additional teacher today. We have asked for more teachers, but are still waiting on the education department to deliver on its promises.

Meanwhile, principal Hlengani Mabasa confirms the shortage of teachers date back to 2014. 

He says they're short nine teachers.

It's been a struggle to get the academic year started, he adds. "We are failing. We are seven teachers for 540 pupils."

At Mphengwa Secondary School in Eldorado Village, disgruntled pupils and parents say government has failed them. 

They shut down the school.

Pupils are still being accommodated in roofless classrooms after the school was damaged during heavy storms nearly five years ago.

Parent Godfrey Molapo says the school will remain closed until repairs are complete.

"No reopening of the school until government effects repairs."

SRC president Mutchinya Sekhwame says: "I am extremely disappointed. The very same government I believe in and hope will deliver better services is failing us. It is the very government which says education is its first priority."

Despite several attempts, the Limpopo education department failed to comment at the time of publication. 

Photos: Jacaranda FM News

Edited by Anton Meijer.