Dept reponds to vandalism at school
“Three learners were identified regarding the burning of desks and disciplinary process is underway,” said spokesperson Steve Mabona.
The Department of Education said it was aware of an incident at the Eersterust secondary school in which learners burnt desks “to keep warm”.
“Three learners were identified regarding the incident and a disciplinary process is underway,” said departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona.
“In case the learners are found guilty as per the code of conduct for learners, the parent is liable to repair and fix the damages.”
Mabona said failing that, the school will recommend the expulsion of the learner.
“It must be noted that all schools follow section 9 (1) of the South African School Act (Sasa).
“A school governing body may, on reasonable grounds and as a precautionary measure, suspend a learner who is suspected of serious misconduct,” he told Rekord.
“But may only enforce such suspension after the learner has been granted a reasonable opportunity to make representations.”
If a learner is suspended, the school governing board must conduct disciplinary proceedings within seven days of the suspension.
Failing this, the governing body must obtain the approval of the department head for the continuation of the suspension of the learner.
He condemned the acts of misconduct, “which seeks to undermine the dignity of our learning institutions”.
Mabona confirmed that the building of the new school is at an advanced stage of advertising the tenders for the project.
“The department is currently busy with renovations of the ablution facilities.”
The ablution facilities at the back of the Eersterust secondary school where the wall is vandalised are locked due to vandalism.
“The report at our disposal reveals that the said facilities were renovated in 2021 and were vandalised the following day,” Mabona said.
The school decided to close them for safety reasons.
He urged learners to refrain from acts of misconduct in schools and implored parents to assist the department in instilling discipline in and outside the school environment.
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