Pretoria - Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has condemned the burning down of school property in the Kuruman region, in the Northern Cape.
Administration blocks of some schools have been set alight in the past two months. It is suspected that the arson is connected to the protests in the area that have prevented learners from 54 schools attending classes since 5 June, this year.
"Preventing learners from their right to an education and malicious destruction to infrastructure cannot be tolerated,” Minister Motshekga said.
The protesters are perpetuating a culture of fear and anarchy in the community, despite the provincial government’s positive response to the issues the protesters have raised.
Minister Motshekga has expressed concern that despite the Northern Cape Provincial Government having committed to addressing their demands, children are still being denied access to schools.
“Provincial education authorities have laid charges with the SAPS and we are confident arrests will follow as this situation cannot be allowed to continue.
“The issues raised have absolutely nothing to do with education and we call upon the protesters to allow learning and teaching to take place without any further delay.
“Learners cannot continue to be used as bargaining chips in a situation that could have an extremely negative effect on their future,” Minister Motshekga said.
The province has provided a detailed catch-up and recovery plan for all the schools if learners are permitted to return to school and resume with the normal teaching and learning. – SAnews.gov.za
