Learners in the dock for violent school disruptions

By Ofentse Mokae
14 April 2010

At least four learners appeared before the magistrate in Malmesbury today for charges ranging from arson and damage to public property.

The four are leaners from Napakade Seconday School in Malmesbury.

Yesterday learners from both the primary and secondary schools ran amok yesterday and set their classrooms alight.

The learners were protesting over overcrowding in the schools and demanded the provincial education department to build another school.

Police spokesperson Constable Henry Du Rand said a police officer and a firefighter were injured.

Du Rand says the situation is still tense in the area however he maintained they will be on full alert.

Meanwhile Education MEC Donald Grant today condemned the violent disruption of schooling at Naphakade Secondary.

In a statement he said violence of any kind simply cannot be tolerated at schools and will be clamped down.

Grant announced that a new school will open at the beginning of 2012 in an attempt to alleviate overcrowding and will ensure quality learning for all learners.

“The violent actions of the learners were not only unlawful, but wholly unnecessary as the education department has prioritised the construction of a new school in the area in our infrastructure plan,” said Grant.

Grant said that the new infrastructure plan had been finalized after a thorough and objective process.