MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / Butterworth children still taught in zinc shacks

Butterworth children still taught in zinc shacks

James Nguza Junior Secondary School has 109 learners studying in overcrowded, leaking classrooms built as a temporary measure in 2009

James Nguza Junior Secondary School in Mgagasi, Butterworth, was built by the community from zinc sheets as a temporary measure in 2009. Photos: Johnnie Issac.
Children at James Nguza Junior Secondary School in Mgagasi, Butterworth, learn in zinc shacks that are freezing in winter and boiling hot in summer. The 109 learners are in grades R to 9. Classrooms are crowded and one can clearly overhear what is happening in the neighbouring classrooms. On rainy days teaching stops as the roof has holes, patched with cardboard, and leaks. Meals are cooked at a house in the community and brought to the school.
The school does not comply with the Department of Basic Education’s minimum norms and standards for public school…

Read More: Butterworth children still taught in zinc shacks.

HIV/AIDS: High prevalence of HIV/AIDS.

Category: Tag:

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Older Persons Grants Land Today — No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, Older Persons grants are paid today, 30 October, under SASSA’s revised November payment schedule — with disability grants on Monday 2 November, children’s grants on Tuesday 3 November, and grants under review on Thursday 5 November. Two things every beneficiary should know. First, grant money does not expire on payment day. It stays…

  • November Grants Pay Early – No Need to Queue at Dawn

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. November grants pay earlier than usual. Older Persons grants are paid on Friday 30 October, Disability grants on 2 November, and Child Support and other grants on 3 November. Grants still under review are paid on 5 November. The money…

  • NSFAS 2027 applications close on 31 October — SASSA households, apply now

    Dear Editor, I run SAGrant (sagrant.co.za), a free resource helping South Africans navigate SASSA grants. NSFAS applications for the 2027 academic year close on Friday 31 October 2026, and no extension is expected. If your household receives a SASSA grant, your child already passes the NSFAS financial eligibility test — but they still have to…

Reader Interactions

Comments