Eastern Cape
Cradock school shut as safety fears grow at Carinus Primary
CRADOCK (NXUBA) — Carinus Primary School has been shut down indefinitely after parents raised serious safety concerns about the condition of the school’s infrastructure, with claims that parts of the building could collapse at any time.
The shutdown follows growing alarm among parents who say the school, originally built as a temporary structure decades ago, has deteriorated to a dangerous state. According to information received, the facility was constructed around 60 years ago as a temporary solution — but has remained in use ever since.
Parents refuse to send children back
Parents have now taken a firm stance, deciding that pupils will not return to school until the Department of Education provides a clear plan to address the situation.
Concerns escalated after parents reportedly conducted a walk-through of the school, where they observed visible structural damage, including sagging ceilings and unsafe classroom conditions.
Some parents described the school as a “ticking time bomb”, fearing that continuing to use the buildings could put children’s lives at risk.
Inside the classrooms: visible damage
Images seen by Komani News show significant deterioration inside classrooms, including:
- Collapsing or partially fallen ceilings
- Exposed roof structures
- Water damage and debris scattered across floors
- Classrooms filled with broken furniture and materials
The condition of some rooms appears severe enough to raise immediate safety concerns, particularly for young learners occupying the space daily.
School declared unsafe, departments alerted
It is understood that concerns about the school’s safety have been raised with both the Department of Education and the Department of Labour.
Parents claim the school has effectively been declared unsafe to accommodate learners, although official confirmation from authorities is still awaited.
A meeting between parents and education officials is expected to take place, where the Department is anticipated to outline how it plans to address the situation.
Education disruption and uncertainty
The shutdown has left many families in limbo, with learners now out of school while awaiting a resolution.
Parents say the decision to keep children at home was not taken lightly, but insist safety must come first.
The situation also highlights broader concerns about ageing and poorly maintained school infrastructure in parts of the Eastern Cape — an issue that has repeatedly surfaced in rural and under-resourced communities.
Awaiting official response
At the time of publication, no official statement had yet been issued by the Department of Education regarding:
- The structural condition of the school
- Immediate intervention plans
- Alternative arrangements for affected learners
