Staff Reporter
The North West Department of Education and Matlosana Local Municipality have sent engineering teams to Laerskool Stilfontein, near Klerksdorp, after a suspected sinkhole was detected on the school grounds.
The department said on Thursday that the possible sinkhole was first observed on Monday, after the school groundsman noticed unusual ground subsidence near a classroom block in the early hours of the morning.
He immediately alerted school management, and learners were moved to a safe place as a precaution.
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The department and municipality then held urgent meetings to find a solution to the problem, according to a press statement. Both institutions brought in independent engineers to assess the problem.
North West Education MEC Viola Motsumi said the safety of learners and staff remained the department’s top priority.
“As a department, we are aware of the sinkhole threat experienced at the school and our priority is to ensure the safety of learners and staff. We want to applaud the school management for ensuring that everyone was safe after the threat was identified. We have kept the learners at home until we know exactly what problem we are facing.
“We also want to commend our teachers who are ensuring that learners do not fall behind in their studies. Teachers are continuing to run lessons via WhatsApp and other platforms. This situation is particularly concerning because learners are due to start their mid-year examinations next week,” said Motsumi.
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The department said it was still waiting for the engineers’ report, which would determine the seriousness of the situation.
Motsumi said alternative space at nearby schools and churches was being considered.
