Another school goes up in flames

Community say structure too old

Another school has been set alight by community members in Mpumalanga who demand that the department of education build a new “proper school” for them. The community of Ndindindi section in Mbuzini, near the Samora Machel monument, set alight Ndindindi primary school on Tuesday claiming it was too old because it was built in 1980. Learning has ceased for hundreds of pupils as the department of education scrambles for alternative classrooms heading into year-end exams. This is a second school to be burnt down by the community this week in Mpumalanga. On Monday parents went on rampage and set Magogeni primary school on fire.

They accused the provincial department of education of lying to them that they were going to get a new school. The department had provided mobile classes to ease overcrowding at the school but the those were also burnt. Mpumalanga education spokesman Jasper Zwane condemned the incidents and called for the police to arrest those responsible.

“This is pure crime, you cannot go around burning schools, stopping children from learning. As much as they have their own cries, learners should be allowed to pursue their future through education.

“We call for the police to act and protect the rights of the children,” said Zwane.

He said the department had long budgeted for the school, but construction cannot be an overnight thing.

“We have budgeted for the schools and before construction starts there should be planning and designing,” he said. He called on school governing bodies to inform parents on agreements reached with the department to avoid such misunderstandings.

/ MANDLA KHOZA What remains of Ndindindi primary school, in Mbuzini, which was but by unknown community members, allegedly, for being too old.