Classrooms torched at junior secondary school in Mthatha. Children allege corporal punishment and that a teacher was having inappropriate relationships with students.
Pupils at Qunu Junior Secondary School broke windows and burned down a storeroom and kitchen on the weekend.
“Teachers could not save the food inside. Everything burnt,” said community leader Bhovulengwe Mtirara.
The students were demanding a stop to corporal punishment.
He said students had been complaining about corporal punishment and a meeting was held between parents and students on Monday. He said they were all shocked when they were told that students had vandalised the school.
Mitra said students also alleged a male teacher is having inappropriate relations with certain students and showing favouritism in return.
“We going to have a meeting tomorrow morning [Wednesday] and look into all these allegations,” he said.
Eastern Cape Department of Education Spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the department strongly condemned the burning of schools.
According to Mtima the problem at Qunu JSS started when students demanded more budget for sport and that the school cut budget from learning and teaching and add it on sport.
There have been numerous school protests this year, over numerous issues including resources, corporal punishment and, more recently, codes of conduct about hair.
By Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik
South Africa Today – South Africa News
