Learners at Menziwa High School, in the Eastern Cape, burned down their school yesterday, according to the Equal Education (EE) group.

Menziwa High School had originally formed part of EE’s court case that was launched last week against the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, and the nine provincial MECs for Education. It seeks a court order that would force Minister Motshekga to prescribe minimum norms and standards for school infrastructure.   

However, Menziwa High School withdrew from the legal action following a promise from the Eastern Cape Government to rebuild the school.

Construction was meant to begin in November 2011 and the handover was meant to occur in February 2012, "but it was never initiated", EE said in a statement.

"The old temporary structures were meant to be replaced but [this week] contractors arrived to make repairs to the temporary structures.

"Members of the Student Representative Council, who were angered that new classrooms had not been built, told everyone to vacate the buildings before they set them on fire.

"The learners' destructive action and desperation must be viewed in light of their schools history," EE said.

Menziwa has been struggling to function with appalling infrastructure for many years. It was damaged on 20 December 2010 when it was struck by a tornado and then by severe storm in March 2011.   

Learners at Menziwa attended class in five shutter-board classrooms that all lacked significant portions of their walls, EE said. Heavy metal gutters hung from the roof and all the windows had either been broken or blown out by strong winds. In some classrooms electrical wiring was exposed.

"As a result of the pre-existing inadequacies and the weather damage the condition of the school infrastructure posed a risk to the physical safety of the learners and impeded their ability to attain a basic education.   

"The effect of the failing infrastructure was evident on learner attendance, enrolment and results. Following the weather damage to the school enrolment dropped from 416 to 306 learners and the Matric pass rate dropped from 46% in 2006 to 10% in 2010.

"Violence and destruction of property is unacceptable but the Eastern Cape Government and National Government must be held accountable for failing Menziwa High School. The school has been left in a state of disrepair and allowed to deteriorate."

And it added, "Although Menziwa High School withdrew from EE’s legal action, this incident shows the urgency with which norms and standards need to be promulgated in South Africa. Until minimum norms and standards define what infrastructure every school needs, schools like Menziwa High School will continue to exist and South Africa’s education system will continue to be defined by historical inequality".

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Tue May 21 20:48:20 SAST 2013 ::

Mar 14, 2012

Catswhiskers

While this action cannot be condoned, the provincial education department, national education department and government should hang their heads in shame!
Instead, they are just getting more arrogant by the day.
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Mar 14, 2012

MommaC

Since when has the DoE been above the law? These structures should have been condemned ages ago. Any private landlord who had a building in this kind of state would have it torn down.

Sad that only extreme actions get any reaction out of our government.
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Mar 14, 2012

rasefatee

And some of the MECs studied at Menziwa High School and now forgeting that the school is without proper infrastructure. it is very disturbing to see a black child sitting in a classroom without desks and windows during winter after 17 years of democratic government when white kids are studying in an airconditioned classrooms.nxaa
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Mar 14, 2012

zaco

how can this be...eish! Ndarkie and his goverment
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Mar 14, 2012

zaco

MommaC
~ How are you...
i saw how you ravaged me yesterday...unfortunately i was driving and couldnt respond lest i cause chaos___ Anyway , u're forgiven
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Mar 14, 2012

MommaC

zaco

Fine thanks Zaco, how you doin :)

Na. Was just teasing. The day was awful full of ammunition though. Yoh! who'd a thought that christians could panel beat a preacher that stukkend.
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Mar 14, 2012

Uthingo1

Our government is neglecting developments in rural areas. I went to school in Northern KZN and some of the schools don't even have water,electricity and toilets even now.
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Mar 14, 2012

zaco

MommaC
cool.....lets make peace, no wars
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Mar 14, 2012

MommaC

zaco

LOL
As long as you promise not to moere me klaar, I'm willing to talk peace :)
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Mar 14, 2012

tumzangwana

why is it that in s.a people have to do something drastic in order for them to get any attention from gov. by vandalising and burning schools, libraries? im not condoning this but their frustration and anger is valid and justified in this case, i mean how many times where these people promised a new school that never materialised? its a shame that people have to resort to this kind of thing in order to be taken seriously.
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