Cosmo City Junior Primary School – 92 Grade 1 learners crammed in a single classroom
Cosmo City Junior Primary School in Johannesburg is currently struggling with severe overcrowding, with 92 Grade 1 learners packed into a single classroom. This alarming situation was highlighted by the DA during a recent visit to local schools in Cosmo City.
The DA discovered that the school also has 87 Grade 2 learners in one classroom. The teacher-to-learner ratio is even more concerning, with one educator for every 73 students.
According to Sergio Isa Dos Santos, the DA’s MEC for Education in Gauteng, Cosmo City Junior Primary School has 2,793 learners enrolled, which is well beyond its capacity of 1,024 students.
Dos Santos expressed his concern, stating that the overcrowding makes the learning environment unsafe for both teachers and students. “This overpacked learning space denies students the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential,” he said.
Despite the Gauteng Department of Education’s (GDE) promise to establish 4,000 satellite schools for relief last month, overcrowding continues to be a major issue in local schools.
The problems at Cosmo City Junior Primary extend beyond overcrowding. The school also faces a severe infrastructure crisis, forcing many students to either sit outside under trees or be crammed into overcrowded classrooms. Additionally, there is a shortage of furniture, with many students having to share desks, and some teachers accommodating three students at desks designed for two.
The sanitation facilities at the school are also inadequate. With 2,793 learners, the school has only 24 toilets, many of which are in poor condition.
Adding to the challenges, the school is currently operating without a permanent principal, leaving the acting principal overwhelmed by the large number of students and insufficient support.
“This crisis reflects a larger problem of neglect within the education system,” said Dos Santos.
The DA is calling on the GDE to take immediate action to address overcrowding in schools across the province. This includes providing additional mobile classrooms, necessary resources, and upgrading the school’s infrastructure.
The GDE acknowledged the overcrowding issue, stating it was aware of the situation and was in the process of establishing a satellite school in the area to ease the pressure on Cosmo City Junior Primary.
Dos Santos also mentioned that the DA will be submitting questions to the Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, to find out if the promised 4,000 satellite schools have been established and where they are located.
