Upset over lack of consultation about ‘pop-up’ high school in Colorado Park

Residents are complaining that they were been consulted about a plan for a “pop-up” high school on the grounds of Washington Drive Primary School.

Chairperson of Washington Drive Primary School’s school governing body, Eugene Kleinsmith, said the managing team, comprising the principal, the head of department in the intermediate and foundation phases as well as Mr Kleinsmith, had been told on Monday May 30 that a pop-up school called Washington Drive High School would be erected next to Washington Drive Primary School.

The high school would be housed in prefabricated structures to be erected on parts of Washington Drive Primary School’s grounds.

“We didn't have any input on this. We were told by representatives from the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) that we need to inform the community on this decision,” he said.

“We took this to the SGB as well as the Colorado Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (CRRA). We explained this to CRRA to communicate this to the community.

“Our concerns were raised on accessing the high school as we already have one access point into Washington Drive Primary School at Tracey Avenue, Colorado Park. Parents and residents have complained numerous times about traffic and congestions in Tracey Avenue. We’ve sent this to the City and Traffic Department,” said Mr Kleinsmith.

“Mixing high school and primary school is a big concern,” he added.

The primary school pupils, he said, “may be exposed to smoking, foul language, to name a few”.

He added: “Water and electricity are also a concern as these connections are being sourced from Washington Drive Primary. The SGB is not happy about this decision that has already been thrust upon us as there was no consultation with us,” he said.

CRRA chairperson Almondt Van Der Schyff said they had been informed about the plan at a school governing body meeting of Washington Drive Primary School on Tuesday July 26.

“Myself and member of CRRA Natalie Bent were invited to a SGB meeting to discover this was announced to Washington Drive Primary about two months ago,” he said.

“We are not happy with the traffic; we’ve requested speed humps and told the City to widen the road. The access point to this new high school will cause more traffic problems,” he said.

“Nobody consulted the community or the CRRA. The community feels they’re imposing this on us. More people will be coming into the area. Government cannot dump pupils here and then we’re the ones sitting with a problem. We already have pupils sitting in parks during school hours. It’s going to get worse,” he said.

“If the WCED consulted us they would have known our concerns and the problems we’re already facing,” he said.

CRRA member Natalie Bent said a request for the construction of a school on the corner of Highlands Drive and Eisleben Road had been sent to the Premier's and Mayor's offices.

"The provincial department will have to meet with CRRA with regards to the proposal for the high school, in consultation with the community of Colorado Park," she said.

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said given the demand for school accommodation in the area, the WCED planned to build a permanent high school on the property.

“This is a wonderful opportunity and asset to the community,” she said

Washington Drive Primary School is situated on a large piece of land that is zoned for education, she added.

“However, in the interim, we are planning to build, in the coming weeks, a 10-classroom mobile school to accommodate pupils that will ultimately move into the permanent school, given the demand in the area. Once the mobiles are near completion, the necessary posts, and administrative processes will be arranged,” she said.

Ms Hammond added that there had, in fact, been consultation with the school community regarding the mobile classrooms.

“Public participation on the permanent school has yet to take place, as the school is in planning. Once plans are drawn up, then this will be presented to the community. The number of classrooms and capacity is not yet clear,” she said.

Sub-council 17 chairperson Elton Jansen said the sub-council and Ward 75 councillor Joan Woodman had yet to receive official notice of the plan to build a high school in Colorado.