‘A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN’ – PARENTS PLEAD FOR HELP AT DULCIE SEPTEMBER PRIMARY
“We are pleading for a report about the school. We need engagement so that the Department of Education can make changes. The school is just a disaster waiting to happen, especially with the health of the kids,” said one concerned parent.
Rabie Ridge, Midrand – Each morning, hundreds of children arrive at Dulcie September Primary School hoping to learn. Instead, many are confronted with dirty classrooms, unhygienic toilets and ongoing disruptions that parents say have turned the school into a “disaster waiting to happen.”
For weeks, parents have been raising alarm about conditions at the Rabie Ridge school, pleading for urgent intervention from the Gauteng Department of Education before the situation deteriorates further.
“We are pleading for a report about the school,” said one concerned parent who contacted KAE News. “We need engagement so that the Department of Education can make changes. The school is just a disaster waiting to happen, especially with the health of the kids.”
Their concerns reflect a growing fear among families that the environment where their children should be learning is instead putting their health and safety at risk.
Teaching and Learning Brought to a Halt
An official document issued by the Institutional Development Support Official (IDSO) and addressed to the School Governing Body confirms the severity of the disruptions.
According to the report, teaching and learning did not take place between 19 January and 2 February 2026 due to infrastructure challenges and escalating tensions at the school.
During this period, parents and community members reportedly held daily meetings outside the school gates, demanding answers about the state of classrooms, maintenance issues and the role of contractors working on the premises.
The situation created an environment where normal school operations could not continue, leaving learners without education for more than two weeks.
Unhygienic Conditions Inside the School
Beyond the disruption to learning, parents say the conditions inside the school have become deeply concerning.
Classrooms, they claim, are not being properly cleaned and the school’s toilets are in a shocking state.
The official IDSO report supports these claims, revealing that the school lacks basic cleaning materials, including bleach, pine gel, brooms and mops. These items were reportedly lost during the period of disruption.
Without proper equipment, hygiene standards at the school have deteriorated significantly, raising fears about the spread of illness among learners.
Parents also allege that general assistants responsible for maintenance have not been able to keep the school clean, leaving children exposed to unsanitary conditions.
Conflict Between Staff and Community
The report further highlights tensions between staff and community members.
According to the document, general assistants at the school downed tools following interference from community members, which worsened the maintenance crisis.
Authorities have since proposed that community members should not be allowed on school premises during school hours in order to restore stability.
The report also recommends that cleaning materials and protective equipment be urgently procured so that normal school operations can resume.
Ongoing Safety Concerns
The current crisis follows previous safety concerns at the school.
Last year, a learner sustained an ear injury during refurbishment work on the premises, an incident that raised questions about safety planning and supervision during construction activities.
For many parents, the latest problems reinforce fears that the school environment is not being adequately managed.
A Plea for Urgent Intervention
The IDSO report concludes that the school requires stronger management support, improved coordination among staff and protection from ongoing community interference if it is to function effectively.
Parents are now calling on the Gauteng Department of Education, education activists and civil society organisations to urgently inspect the school and ensure that learners are provided with a safe and hygienic learning environment.
For the families of Dulcie September Primary School, the issue is simple: schools should be places of learning, dignity and safety.
Until decisive action is taken, they fear their children will continue to pay the price.
KAE News will continue monitoring the situation and is seeking comment from the Gauteng Department of Education.
