Angry students from Upper Corana Senior Secondary School in rural Libode in the Eastern Cape burnt 12 classrooms as they were protesting against poor school infrastructure.
In addition to the classrooms, they also burnt down computers and other electronic devices.
The students stated that their pleas were not being heard for several years.
At least three people had fallen into holes in the floor since June.
In 2021, education MEC Fundile Gade was informed about the dilapidated condition of the school.
He reportedly promised an investigation. But parents said he had never been back.
“The school is very old. I don’t know how many teachers have fallen inside those halls. We have reported these incidents to authorities,” Mdabula said.
He said he was shocked when he saw the school going up in flames.
Grade 12 pupils who are busy with their September trial exams were being accommodated at Bhekizulu Senior Secondary on the other side of Libode.
Parent Nophuthumile Lingani accused authorities of putting children’s lives in danger and compromising their education.
School governing body chair Nosizile Nogqala said they wanted the department to provide temporary classrooms for their children so that they could write their exams.
Provincial education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said they were aware of the school’s issues.
Source: https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2023-09-01-libode-school-ravaged-by-fire-as-angry-pupils-protest/
Content created and supplied by: Dizaldo (via Opera
News )