Rustenburg: The Premier of North West Province Kaobitsa Bushy Maape has today, Thursday 20 January, held a meeting with the MEC for Education Maphefo Matsemela and the management of Bojanala District office of the department to reflect on recent reports of abduction of Tirelong Secondary School learners from Naawpoort and Boons Mega Farm schools, where they were accommodated following the severe vandalism of their school.
Acknowledging efforts taken by the department since the vandalism incident was reported, including the engagement of parents about the resolve to move learners to identified neighbouring farm schools, Premier Maape said in order for the short to long term solutions to work, parents and other community organisations must be thoroughly engaged, saying all must contribute towards bringing order and normalcy in the area.
“Fundamental to our engagements with these stakeholders should be to demonstrate that we all have the welfare and interests of our children at heart. The several options and solutions to be explored during this community participation process should exhibit our solid intent to ensure that learning and teaching occurs without any impediments”, said Premier Maape who implored the department to work with law enforcement agencies and communities to ensure that the safety and protection of learners in farm schools is prioritised and become everybody’s business.
The department says it will from next week be assisting learners who have already requested to be returned back to Boons and Naauwpoort Mega farm schools, saying
2
these efforts are aimed at ensuring that the right of these learners to access education which is enshrined in the Constitution, is honoured.
The vandalism experienced in Tirelong Secondary School during the December holidays include severe damage to the water supply system, electrical connectivity system, damaging the server, burglar doors, stealing all valuables in the school’s strong room, destroying toilets and basins, and stealing the school’s photocopier machine. The school has been vandalised more than three times, and the department has been renovating it, working with private partners.
Premier Maape says while it will take some time to restore order in that school, efforts should be made to preserve the school in a manner that will be developmental and beneficial to the entire Kroondal community.
ENDS Issued by the Office of the Premier
