The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) recently released a statement stipulating that it was extremely concerned by the burning of numerous schools in Tshwane.
“The Gauteng Department of Education has noted with concern the disruption of schooling in various areas around Tshwane as a result of the ongoing protest actions,” read the statement.
“It is of extreme concern to us, that when communities engage in protest actions, schools become targets resulting in pupils losing valuable time. We are working closely with the local police to monitor the situation and intervene where necessary.
“Our school patrollers have also been instructed to be vigilant and report instantly to the principals any suspicious activities around the schools during the day and night.”
A Sandton-based teacher, Bev Geldenhuys and youth councillor, Nomaswazi Nkosi, expressed their views on the issue that has severely impacted many pupils.
Geldenhuys said, “My blood boils when I hear that schools are being burned. The precious hours that the pupils miss when they are not in class can never be made up. Statistically, South Africa is already behind other countries with regards to educational levels of our youth. The burning of schools will further widen this chasm.”
She highlighted that her Grade 6 pupils believe that it is not the school’s fault and that the school should, therefore, not be punished. “The pupils pointed out that, as pupils at a private school, they continue to receive an excellent education while the children in rural areas are forced to go without any formal learning because their schools and books were destroyed by arsonists.”
Geldenhuys concluded by saying that an education is the greatest gift that can be offered to the youth.
Nkosi added, “Students are suffering the most, particularly during this exam season. Books, assignments, reports and computers are costly items that are irreplaceable.”
As a youth councillor, Nkosi is acutely aware of the fact that many young South Africans are deprived of an education. “Burning down of schools is adding fuel to the fire and worsening this issue. In a sector where so much is invested, it is awfully disappointing to see how we may… not experience the rewards of this investment.”
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