Masabata Mkwananzi|Updated7 hours agoR70 million spent on sewer upgrades, but Boipatong school suffers from raw sewage

Despite more than R70 million being spent on sewer infrastructure upgradesin Boipatong, learners at Lebohang Secondary School continue to attend classes alongside raw sewage, with contaminated grounds, unusable sports facilities and persistent health concerns overshadowing daily teaching and learning. The continued spillages have raised fresh questions over why learners remain exposed to sewage despite years of infrastructure upgrades intended to resolve the problem. During a recent oversight visit, members of the school’s safety and infrastructure committee described a learning environment increasingly overshadowed by overflowing sewage.

They said sports fields have become unusable because of recurring sewer spillages, forcing learners to play on paved areas outside their classrooms. ”The kids are now opting to play on the pavement in front of the classes. During the rainy season, it gets worse.

The situation is negatively impacting teachers, learners, and the rest of the staff working at the school.” The kids are now opting to play on the pavement in front of the classes. The situation is negatively impacting teachers, learners, and the rest of the staff working at the school.” They added that overflowing sewage regularly reaches the area next to the school kitchen, where meals are prepared for learners. Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Onwabile Lubhelwana said the department was aware of the situation and had dispatched a team to assess conditions at the school. The assessment found that a municipal sewer line passes through the school premises, resulting in recurring flooding and sewer spillages in the school yard.