Vandalism leaves pupils out in the cold

Thieves were targeting the school for copper piping, light fittings and other items, and in the process had destroyed ceiling boards, damaged locks and removed window fittings

A Cape Town school has resorted to teaching its pupils out in the open after the school’s buildings were vandalised, leaving gaping holes in ceilings and classrooms in darkness, the Cape Times has reported.

Teacher Pamela Davids said some parents had opted to keep their children at home until some of the damage to Parkwood Primary School had been repaired.    

Since Monday pupils and teachers had not returned to their classrooms in a show of dissatisfaction about the situation.    

Some of the teachers said they could not return to their classrooms because their light fittings had been stolen and it was too dark inside.    

However, teaching continued outside in the open.    

Principal Randal Phillips said the break-ins had started on July  18.    

He said the thieves were targeting the school for copper piping,  light fittings and other items, and in the process had destroyed ceiling boards, damaged locks and removed window fittings.    

Spokeswoman for education MEC Donald Grant, Bronagh Casey, said the school had reported three cases of vandalism to the Western Cape education department.    

“The directorate for infrastructure and maintenance has contacted the principal and discussed the procedures in terms of repairs… Once we have received the relevant quotes for the repairs,  we can proceed,” Casey said.    

Police spokesman Warrant Officer November Filander said four housebreaking cases had been reported by the school since July 18, but no arrests had been made.