The department condemns burning of schools

8 June 2016

The Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal has learnt with shock about an attempt made by disgruntled members of the community to burn Mvaba High School in Durban (Inanda), following problems regarding the school principal.

It is reported that community members attempted to burn the school this morning following the suspension of the school principal.

The Department condemns this barbaric act and warns that all the perpetrators will face the full might of the law. Schools, like all government buildings/institutions, are there to serve the public and it does not make sense for the self-same public to destroy structures that are meant to benefit them. This is a treasonous act that cannot be entertained in a democratic society like ours. Education is both an Apex Priority of the current administration and it is a societal responsibility. It therefore militates against what this government wants to achieve through education if there are people (no matter how few) who hold a view that burning public buildings is the only way to get government’s attention.

The Department is aware of all the issues pertaining to Mvaba High School and is doing everything to ensure that this problem is resolved without disturbance and disruption of teaching and learning.

Issued by Muzi Mahlambi on behalf of the Department of Education, 8 June 2016