Exam halls blown away by strong winds at Ibhongo High School! At least 224 matric students from Ibhongo High School in Dlamini, Soweto, face an unexpected challenge as they begin their final exams. Due to severe damage from strong winds that tore off the roofs of their exam halls, the school was forced to relocate the students to a multipurpose center nearby.
Despite efforts by the school governing body (SGB) to minimize disruption, concerns remain about how this change may affect students’ performance and the school’s long-term infrastructure needs.
Exam Halls Destroyed by Strong Winds
The destructive winds struck on Monday, causing extensive damage to Ibhongo High’s main and smaller exam halls just after students completed their first paper. The unexpected destruction forced the SGB to quickly arrange an alternative venue to ensure the exams would continue as scheduled. Isaac Ngwenya, the SGB chairperson, expressed frustration, noting that the school’s age and lack of maintenance contributed to the building’s vulnerability.
“We had to come up with an alternative venue to minimize disruptions and were able to secure the hall, at least until they are done with the exams,” Ngwenya said. “The department has failed to prioritize maintenance and service of the infrastructure. This school has stood for 50 years, battered by the weather, and it’s a shame this had to happen before they realized the infrastructure is old and needs urgent attention,” he added.
Concerns Over Exam Performance and Pass Rates
Ngwenya and other SGB members voiced concerns that the relocation could impact the school’s target pass rate of 90% for the class of 2024. Preparing for final exams is a critical time for matric students, and the upheaval of changing venues, combined with the disruption of daily routines, may negatively impact student performance.
“We’re worried this will affect our target of a 90% pass rate,” Ngwenya explained. Although the alternative venue ensures exams can proceed without major delays, the disruption in the study environment and exam schedules could prove challenging for the students to adapt to during this important period.
Uncertain Timeline for Repairs
One of the SGB’s major concerns is the timeline for repairing the damaged halls, as the facilities are not only used for exams but also serve as classrooms for regular teaching activities. “The district team was here, but nothing was communicated with regards to a timeline for when they will repair the roof,” Ngwenya said. Budget constraints in the Gauteng Department of Education may delay the repairs, posing long-term implications for both teaching and learning activities at the school.
In addition to the matric exam impact, teachers and students worry about how the delay in repairs may influence the school year. SGB member for infrastructure, Michael Mtshali, called for swift action from the Department of Education, emphasizing that further delays could compromise the safety of students and staff. “It’s only a matter of time before the whole section blows away,” Mtshali warned, recalling previous complaints raised about the roof’s condition. He emphasized that both the SGB and school staff have long been concerned about the building’s structural issues.
Previous Warnings Over Roof Structure
The SGB revealed that they had previously raised concerns about the roof with school officials and even contributed funds toward basic repairs in recent years. “We don’t expect much from the district; what we need is leadership on the ground,” Mtshali added. These unheeded warnings highlight a larger issue of aging infrastructure in many public schools, where maintenance needs often go overlooked.
For students, parents, and staff, the incident serves as a reminder of the urgent need for schools to receive timely support from educational authorities. While no injuries were reported during the incident, the SGB stressed that ongoing neglect of maintenance could pose serious safety hazards.
Similar Damage at Nearby Schools
Ibhongo High School is not the only educational facility affected by the recent weather. Just a short distance away in Mapetla, Diodi Primary School also suffered structural damage, with an entire section of toilets used by students badly impacted by the winds. This incident, along with the challenges at Ibhongo High, underscores the vulnerability of older school buildings and raises questions about the Department of Education’s readiness to address such emergencies.
Awaiting a Response from the Gauteng Department of Education
Despite repeated inquiries from the school, Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona has yet to provide a clear response or timeline for repairs, stating only that he would address the issue once the department received information from “line management.” For the SGB and students of Ibhongo High, a swift response is crucial to avoid further disruption.
Moving Forward
As the exams continue at the multipurpose center, Ibhongo High School and its SGB are hopeful for urgent intervention to restore the damaged facilities. They have voiced their expectations for better maintenance protocols and more proactive measures from the Department of Education to prevent similar disruptions in the future.