The North West Department of Education has instituted investigations following the burning of a block of 4 classrooms at Boitekong Secondary School, near Rustenburg.
According to the Department’s report, the classroom blocks for Life Orientation, Mathematics and Sciences, were allegedly set alight on Saturday 27 September.
“The School Principal received a call from the School Governing Body Chairperson, who was informed by a neighbour that the classrooms were on fire. As he arrived at the scene, the community members were already trying to extinguish the fire.
“Fire spread from the offices to the three classrooms. Possibility is that it was initially ignited from the office where it got fuel from the material stored in the offices to the classrooms. Due to the lack of buckets, they were unable to extinguish the fire. An attempt was made to put off the fire with the soil,” read a statement from the department. The fire damaged roof timber rafters, iron sheets as well as 69 tables, 128 chairs, the ceiling, whiteboards and destroyed the Learning and Teaching Supply Material.
“Meanwhile, MEC Viola Motsumi has condemned the incident adding that it undermines efforts to deliver quality education.
“It is deeply disturbing that at a time we are working tirelessly to improve learning conditions and infrastructure, there are people who choose to destroy these gains. This act is not just an attack on a school building, it is an attack on the future of our children,” remarked Motsumi.
She also bemoaned the effects this will have on the Grade 12 learners, as they prepare to sit for their final exams in about 21 days.
The MEC called for collaboration with the community to bring those responsible to book.
