Learners go on the rampage at Pongola high school
The teachers’ staff room was set alight and their laptops and school computers were broken during the upheaval that forced the suspension of classes
EDUCATORS at Bonginhlanhla High School in Pongola are still counting the cost of the damage caused by protesting learners on Thursday.
The teachers’ staff room was set alight and their laptops and school computers were broken during the upheaval that forced the suspension of classes.
A source working at the school told the ZO that progressed Grade 12 learners were responsible for the riot.
‘They don’t want to be part of the modularisation programme, which allows progressed learners to write some of their subjects this year and the rest in March,’ he said.
The source also alleged that beside the damage caused, some learners also stole a safe from the principal’s office which contained cash.
ALSO READ: Rioting learners shut down high school in Pongola
‘One them was caught with the money and was handed over to the police.
‘Stones were flying in all direction. They went straight to our staff room, drove out all the teachers and set it alight.’
Pongola’s ward 6 Councillor Petros Mavuso said some learners who refused to join the strike were injured in the process.
KZN provincial spokesman Sihle Mlotshwa criticised learners for disrupting school activities.
‘The aim of the modularisation programme is to help progressed learners, so it is disturbing that they choose to vandalise their own facilities.’
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbhele, said they have opened a case of malicious damage to property and theft.
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