LIMPOPO – Just as the Department of Education in the province was assessing the damage to infrastructure caused by recent storms, another school fell victim to disaster when Realedisha Senior Secondary School in Ga-Kgapane, Bolobedu, burned to ashes in the early hours of Thursday, January 23.

The fire was first noticed at 05:15 by community members, who raised the alarm. Despite the swift intervention of the school governing body, staff, and community members, significant damage was unavoidable.

Classrooms and the administrative block, which housed the offices of the principal, deputy principal, and clerk, were destroyed.

Community members and staff managed to salvage some items from nearby classrooms, including textbooks, stationery, kitchen utensils, and teacher files.

Firefighters arrived approximately an hour after the fire broke out, but by then, only two classrooms were left intact.

The fire caused extensive losses, including academic and administrative records such as school policies, registers, financial and human resource files, matric certificates, and mark sheets.

Office equipment and furniture, including photocopiers, printers, laptops, air conditioners, steel cabinets, and trophies, were destroyed. Subject-specific resources, such as Gr 10 to 12 teachers’ files, question papers, and science apparatus, were lost.

The school’s electrical infrastructure, including the circuit board, was also damaged, which impacted the electricity and water supply from the borehole system.

Daily operations have been severely disrupted, affecting Gr 10 to 12 classes and the national nutrition programme.

The Mopani District Municipality’s disaster management team and police visited the school.

A suspect was arrested the following day after stolen school property was found at his homestead.

The principal has assured parents and learners that all possible measures will be taken to restore normalcy and resume classes promptly.

For more information on how to assist the school, contact 079 991 6193.