Robbers steal Grade 7 e-books at Gauteng's newest school

Over R3 million was spent on renovating and equipping the school as part of the provincial Education Department's move to paperless classrooms.

 

Menzi Primary School is a paper-less school, meaning learners do not have study material because stolen tablets contain their e-books.

 

The revamped school officially opened its doors with the start of the 2019 academic year a week ago.

 

The school caters for over 1000 Grade R to Grade 7 learners who live in Langaville.

 

The criminals stole laptops, desktops, data projectors and a digital video recorder.

 

Spokesperson for the Department of Education in Gauteng, Steve Mabona, says the incident is a huge loss for the community and he has urged those with information to assist the police in apprehending the suspects.

 

"This is a huge investment that we have put a lot of money in, just to make sure we improve the quality of education, especially in the township education," says Mabona.

 

Mabona adds this type of a criminal act is similar to stealing the future of children.

 

Mabona says officials from the Department will pay a visit to the school on Wednesday to ascertain the value of stolen equipment.

 

He adds if information of the stolen equipment does not come to light on Friday, the MEC of Education Panyaza Lesufi, aims to withdraw all expensive equipment at the school.

 

Community members will also not be allowed on the school premises to use facilities like the school halls - the area does not have a community hall.

 

"We will be weary on giving them access to the school because if others come there to check on what is it, we have at the school - only to come back to steal," says Mabona.

 

The department will explore engaging other stakeholders to beef up security at the school and other schools in the province where expensive education equipment is invested at.

 

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