A stone being used to close a door that has no handles.
PHILIPSBURG--Local companies, police officers and members of the community have joined an effort to address a number of problems at Oranje School after a visit to the school found it in need of immediate attention.
The effort began a couple of weeks ago after police officer Martes approached a member of the community working with a company to ask whether the company would be willing to donate items to help repair parts of the school.
A toilet with no seat.
One of the conditions at the school.
The conditions of one of the classrooms.
The state of a window at the school.
The state of the swing at the school.
A visit to the school followed to assess what could be done. According to the person who organised the effort, the condition of the school was a surprise and prompted an appeal to government authorities, parliamentarians and other political figures for information about the condition of the school and when the outstanding issues would be addressed.
The concerns identified included mould, bacteria and termites, a lack of urinals in the boys' bathroom, a missing toilet seat in the girls' bathroom, missing door handles, missing window louvres, window handles that were not working, and broken and rusted sink faucets.
The playground was also described as being in deplorable condition, with broken and rusted children's swings.
A meeting was subsequently held with the Minister of Education to discuss the situation. During that meeting, the person said they were told that other schools were in worse condition than Oranje School and that addressing the problems requires a process of approval, including payments before work can be carried out at the school.
The person then took it upon themselves to seek assistance from companies and people they know and work with in an effort to improve the school and help ensure that children could start
the school year in better conditions.
Several companies and police officers contributed to the effort. Rollfix worked on doors and windows, while M.T. Construction repaired the swing and wooden staircase and railing. Terry's Welding removed old fencing at the front of the school and installed new fencing.
Kooyman donated lumber, chains, galvanised metal, a toilet, sink, faucets and urinals.
SMT NV provided termite treatment, while Luckys Commercial Center paid for the decontamination and treatment of mould and bacteria.
Police officers also helped clean the yard, cut trees, collect garbage and carry out plumbing work. The effort is continuing, with support still being sought to obtain a fire extinguisher for the school.
