Pine Ridge scholars stage a protest
Scholars at Pine Ridge Combined School burned tyres, chanted and sang outside the school, disrupting those who wanted to learn.
The commotion started on Friday, August 22 and was continuing on Tuesday, August 26. The scholars claim that their needs have not been met by the principal, Mr Dominic Mlangeni, as they have no desks to write on in their classrooms. “The children want to have the free will to do as they please during school hours whilst on the premises. We have a school code of conduct which all children should adhere to,” said Mlangeni.
As told by the principal, the children of the school want to be able to wear their hair in the latest fashions and in all kinds of colours. Apparently some of the children had a petition signed that requested that they be allowed to smoke as they wished on the school grounds.
Another concern brought forward and acknowledged by the principal, was the lack of sufficient furniture, tables and chairs, within the classrooms.
“We are unable to commence with our work as we have to share desks and that is not good for us,” said a scholar.
Another added that the school is allegedly making money by renting out school property. However that was disputed by the principal, who said that there is a lodger at the school and they are in the process of removing him from the premises as he started his business illegally.
“We are aware of the old man staying on the school grounds, his stay was not meant to be permanent, but now we are having trouble trying to remove him. We are in the process of having him moved,” confirmed the principal.
Tactical Response Team had to be called in after police failed to stabilise the learners, as they rioted. Some rubber shots were fired and the children then dispersed into the open grounds. Some were chased down by the response team and made to put out the fires that they had started. They were sent back to their classes after that.
Parents who feared for the lives of their children, came rushing to the school to collect them when they saw smoke from the premises. They preferred that the younger scholars be released back home into the care of their parents, as they did not feel their children were safe.
Mlangeni assured them that as long as they were in the school grounds, the children were safe.
