COSAS, parents shut down schools in Mamabolo

This after members of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) and parents shut down schools in the Mamabolo area, following last year's  torching of the MR Machaka Secondary School.

Since then, pupils have been forced to go to class under trees.

COSAS coordinator Piet Bopape said the department has still not delivered mobile classrooms to the school.

"Our younger brothers and sisters are attending class under trees. Today the weather is not okay, it's cold and it's raining. They are sitting under their desks and it is not what we want. We think that the Department of Education has violated the rights of learners," said Bopape

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MR Machaka School Governing Body (SGB) secretary Elizabeth Choenyane said that shutting down all the schools was the only way they could get government to listen to them.

Choenyane said schools will remain shut until further notice.

"We were advised that for the government to hear what we are saying, we must at least close all the schools in Mamabolo so that they can see that this is serious. We've been attending classes under trees and they have not taken any action since 3 December 2016," said Choenyane. 

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Choenyane said they have not been in talks with other SGBs.

"There is a task team including most of the principals of our circuit and they will update their SGBs together with parents on what is happening," said Choenyane.

Over 250 teachers of schools in the Mamabolo area are expected to report to the local circuit offices in Mankweng every day until the situation is resolved.

Branch chairperson Abby Mogashoa said the situation is no longer conducive for learning and teaching.

"We can't be happy if our teachers are referred back to their schools. We think this is the most convenient place where teachers can come and report," said Mogashoa.