DA: MEC Kgetjepe must secure our rural schools

LIMPOPO – The DA will launch a petition campaign in Seshego today against the lack of safety at rural schools in Limpopo.

In a media statement, the DA says they will also write to the MEC for education, Ishmael Kgetjepe to request he urgently tables a rural schools safety plan in the Limpopo Legislature and a plan to assist learners affected by school vandalism to catch-up on missed classes.

Mohlakaneng High School learners in Seshego returned to school on Monday to find four classrooms burnt to the ground.

Similarly, M.E.Makgatho Secondary, also in Seshego was broken into the night before schools opened on Monday, where tuck-shop stock and material were stolen.

Dr.Makunyane Secondary School in zone 5 was broken into over the weekend, where an unidentified number of computers were stolen.

“While police are investigating these cases, it is pivotal that the department of education secures learners and their school, facilities from vandals and criminals.

“The DA will also request the department to provide mobile classroom as an interim relieve so that teaching and learning can proceed in a conducive environment.

“Many of this province’s children have had to endure schooling in unsafe environments; no learner should be expected to perform well when their security and well being is under threat.

“Public ordinary schools are at the centre of our provinces socio-economic development. If their security is as inadequate as it currently is, then the educational goals envisioned by the National Development Plan can never be realised,” read the statement.