School set alight by angry pupils
The principal's office and the security guard's room were set alight.
THE Thomas Mbhele Secondary School in Kenterton near Sawoti was damaged, allegedly by disgruntled pupils, last Wednesday. The principal’s office and the security guard’s room were set alight, the school’s windows were broken, desks and chairs were damaged and chalkboards were removed from the classroom walls. No arrests have been made as yet and a case of arson has been opened for investigation by the Sawoti SAPS.
“Pupils were informed last year that the school, which only offered classes up to grade 10, would be offering grade 11 from this year,” said police spokesman Captain Vincent Pandarum. “When the school reopened this year, pupils were allowed to register for grade 11. However, on Wednesday this week, the grade 11 pupils were informed that the grade was to be discontinued due to a shortfall in the budget. When pupils heard this and were told they were to be placed at neighbouring schools, they became incensed,” said Captain Pandarum.
Calm was restored at the school following the intervention of the Sawoti SAPS. Later that evening the school was found ablaze. At the time the fire was started, the security guard was not on duty. His shift begins at 7pm. The fire was extinguished by fire fighters from the Umdoni Fire Department. Officers from the Sawoti SAPS and the Port Shepstone Public Order Police (POP) guarded the premises until a representative from the department of education addressed pupils and their parents last Thursday. Regular police patrols are being carried out to ensure that no further damage is caused to the school premises. Pupils reported back to school today (Monday).
