It appears as if access to technology in schools has resulted in a number of school thefts in and around Tembisa.
The principal of Reagile Primary School in Winnie Mandela, Ms Roselyn Msiza, said she feels that her school is the most targeted one, as it has been burgled four to five times in three consecutive years.
“We were greatly shocked in 2015 when we found our school burgled after we had won the Vodacom Millionaires Mobile Computer competition. We had 45 laptops for the learners, four big screens, a projector, HOD laptops and a server. All of these items were stolen.
“The perpetrators broke the library wall in order to gain access. Last year, after we tried to replace the computers for admin, the principal and the deputy, the criminals came again and took all our laptops, including the server and projector. We can’t even use the Gauteng Online software,” explained Ms Msiza.
Reagile Primary School was burgled again on Wednesday, March 8 after the school had purchased new laptops for the school management team.
About nine laptops were stolen from the school.
Ms Msiza said their learners are really disadvantaged because they are not exposed to technology.
“These thefts have affected us in a way that we always lose the school data and it is hard for the teachers to save their learners’ work. Among other important things, we also need to store our administration. At the moment we are supposed to issue end-of-term reports but obviously we are going to delay that because of the lost data,” added Ms Msiza.
Ms Msiza further said they are currently trying to get one laptop for administration purposes.
“At times I feel stupid because we do not have development. They kill our spirit and drag us down.
“We get accessed by the district and if we do not have school data, it makes us look bad. It also becomes a tedious job for the admin to punch all the school work while teachers can still save their work on their laptops. I am really disappointed by the crime that is happening in our schools. The people who are responsible for the crime are really heartless when they continue to steal children’s education,” said Ms Msiza.
She said they are hoping to get a new laptop for administration after a meeting with their School Governing Body. When asked if they feel safe during school hours, Ms Msiza said during the day there was nothing that had ever made them feel unsafe.
“We were never intimidated during the day. We only get worried over nights, holidays and the rainy season,” said Ms Msiza.
Ms Msiza said if members of the community and law enforcement could take a stand and joint hands in the fight against crime, none of these things would happen.
The Tembisa SAPS communication officer, Captain Manyadza Ralidzivha, confirmed that thefts at schools have increased in the township.
“Technology is the most important education tool for our children since we are now living in a modern world. Schoolchildren are supposed to be taught how to use computers, tablets and laptops.
“It is a problem when somebody decides to go and steal the very same equipment that is supposed to better our children’s education,” said Capt Ralidzivha.
He urged residents report any suspicious acts happening around the schools.
“We are encouraging members of the community to join the community policing forum and work together with the police. Residents should call the police whenever they see any criminal behaviour,” said Capt Ralidzivha.
Contact Tembisa SAPS on 011 926 2970.
A request for comment was sent to the Gauteng Department of Education, MEC Panyaza Lesufi’s office on Monday afternoon. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
