Hundreds of learners in the West Rand continue to attend classes in ageing asbestos structures that pose serious health risks, despite years of promises by the Gauteng Provincial Government to eradicate dangerous school infrastructure.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has raised alarm over conditions at Randfontein Secondary School and Toekomsrus Primary School in Toekomsrus, accusing the provincial government of failing to protect learners and educators from exposure to hazardous asbestos materials.
In a statement released on Monday, DA Shadow MEC for Education, Sergio Isa Dos Santos, said the continued existence of asbestos classrooms was unacceptable and reflected the government’s failure to meet its own infrastructure commitments.
The criticism follows a recent sitting of the Gauteng Legislature where MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, was questioned about the province’s progress in eliminating asbestos schools. According to the DA, Mamabolo failed to provide a clear timeline for the completion of the programme and instead repeated government commitments without offering concrete plans.
The issue is particularly concerning at Randfontein Secondary School, where the Gauteng Department of Education previously allocated approximately R112 million for rehabilitation and asbestos-related infrastructure upgrades.
However, a recent DA oversight inspection found that major safety concerns remain unresolved. These include an incomplete administration block, unfinished bathroom facilities, falling ceiling panels and staircases without safety bars.
“The reality on the ground tells a different story from what government reports suggest,” said Dos Santos. “Learners and teachers are still exposed to unsafe conditions despite significant public funds having been allocated to address these problems.”
The DA further alleged that instead of completely removing asbestos structures, some interventions involved constructing brick-and-mortar buildings around existing asbestos classrooms. Many of these additions have reportedly deteriorated over time, leaving cracked and broken asbestos panels exposed.
The situation is compounded by severe overcrowding. According to the DA, Grade 8 classes at Randfontein Secondary School have learner-to-teacher ratios of approximately 50:1, while some Grade 11 classes have as many as 73 learners per teacher.
Education experts have long warned that overcrowded classrooms negatively affect learning outcomes, while damaged asbestos materials can release fibres that pose significant health risks when inhaled over prolonged periods.
At Toekomsrus Primary School, asbestos infrastructure also remains in place despite previous assessments by the education department. The DA said several mobile classrooms, some more than three decades old, are still being used and require urgent replacement.
The school’s roofing structures are also reportedly in poor condition and in need of maintenance.
Although officials assessed the school two years ago, the DA claims no visible work has been undertaken since then.
Residents and parents have repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of school infrastructure in the area, particularly as many buildings continue to age without adequate maintenance or replacement.
Dos Santos questioned how much longer learners and educators would be expected to work and study in such conditions.
“It is outrageous that government continues to drag its feet on eradicating asbestos schools despite the well-documented health dangers associated with asbestos exposure,” he said.
The DA has announced plans to escalate the matter to Panyaza Lesufi, calling for urgent intervention and accountability from officials responsible for delays.
The party argued that safe and modern school infrastructure is essential to protecting the health, dignity and future of learners and educators.
As pressure mounts on the Gauteng government, parents, teachers and communities affected by the deteriorating facilities are likely to demand answers on when the long-promised removal of asbestos from schools will finally become a reality.
