A new primary school in Hammanskraal, designed to accommodate over 1,100 students, remains vacant months after its planned opening at the end of 2023. This advanced facility, intended to alleviate pressure on existing educational institutions and provide modern learning opportunities, is still standing empty. Ratanang Primary School, situated in the Kanana area north of Pretoria, was completed but has yet to welcome any pupils into its classrooms. The facility, intended to serve the local community, has been standing empty since its completion, according to local observations, despite its readiness for occupation. No pupils have been able to enter the classrooms months after its completion. The Gauteng Department of Education and the City of Tshwane have not yet provided a definitive timeline for when the school will become operational, leaving the community in limbo. The delay has left community members questioning the future use of the modern educational facility, which was built with significant investment and high expectations.
A Modern Learning Facility
Ratanang Primary School was completed as part of the Gauteng Department of Education's initiative to deliver future-ready learning spaces. The department described the school as a flagship example of modern public education infrastructure in a statement released at the end of 2025. This declaration showed the provincial government's commitment to improving educational facilities and providing high-quality learning environments for its students. The facility includes 28 classrooms, computer labs, and fully digitised teaching environments, designed to support contemporary pedagogical approaches. It also features sports facilities and learner-friendly combicourts, providing ample space for physical activity and extracurricular engagement.
Further amenities at the school include a multifunctional hall equipped with stage lighting and a public address system, suitable for assemblies, performances, and community events. A tuckshop and a nutrition centre are also part of the design, aimed at providing wholesome meals and snacks for students, addressing their nutritional needs throughout the school day. A dedicated Early Childhood Development section has also been incorporated, comprising five Grade R classrooms with their own ablution facilities, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for the youngest learners. Supporting infrastructure built into the project includes a backup generator, ensuring uninterrupted power supply, and a water pump for managing shortages and ensuring fire readiness, vital for the safety and smooth operation of the school. Additionally, CCTV surveillance, an intercom, and alarm systems have been installed, providing a secure and monitored environment for all occupants. The campus was designed to provide "safe, dignified and future-focused learning" and aims to ensure that township learners have access to facilities aligned with a rapidly digitising education system, preparing them for the challenges of the 21st century.
Bureaucratic Hurdles Delay Opening
At the start of the year, the City of Tshwane’s MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning stated that several key compliance certificates were outstanding before the Ratanang Primary School building could be legally occupied. The primary reason cited for the school's continued vacancy is the incomplete transfer of the property from the City of Tshwane to the Gauteng Department of Education. This administrative delay has directly prevented the issuance of an occupancy certificate, rendering the school unusable despite its completion and readiness for learners. The occupancy certificate has not been issued because the property transfer is incomplete, meaning the school remains vacant, a critical hurdle preventing its activation.
Among the specific compliance documents noted as outstanding were inspection reports and compliance certificates from health, fire, and environmental management authorities. These reports are key for validating the safety and environmental integrity of the building. Additional requirements included a Form 4 certificate, an electrical certificate of compliance, various engineers’ certificates, and a fire certificate, all of which are mandatory for public buildings to ensure they meet stringent safety and operational standards. These documents are key for ensuring the building meets safety and regulatory standards before learners and staff can inhabit the premises. However, the necessary compliance certificates with the National Building Regulations and the Building Standards Act were later completed, addressing some of the initial regulatory impediments and indicating progress on the compliance front. Despite these completions, the property transfer issue continues to be the main obstacle.
Community and Political Concerns
Kanana, a densely populated community located within the City of Tshwane, continues to await the opening of the Ratanang Primary School. The community's anticipation is palpable, as the school represents a significant investment in their children's future and a solution to overcrowding in existing schools. Political concerns regarding the delay have been voiced, with the Freedom Front Plus arguing that pupils’ right to safe and suitable education facilities should not be hindered by bureaucratic red tape. The party emphasized the importance of delivering educational infrastructure without undue administrative delays impacting students, noting the negative consequences of these postponements on the educational journey of young learners. The prolonged vacancy of the school has sparked frustration among residents and political representatives alike, who stress the urgent need for the facility to become operational.
In an effort to provide clarity on the situation, BusinessTech reached out to both the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and the City of Tshwane. The publication sought an updated timeline regarding the resolution of the outstanding issues that have prevented the school's opening, aiming to inform the public about when they can expect progress. Additionally, BusinessTech requested information on when learners would finally be able to attend the new facility, aiming to provide a definitive answer for the affected community and alleviate their concerns. However, by the time of publication, neither the GDE nor the city had provided a response to the inquiries, leaving the community and media without concrete answers regarding the school's future. The lack of communication further exacerbates the uncertainty surrounding Ratanang Primary School's operational status.
