By Anita Dangazele
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube is concerned about the rise in criminality affecting schools.
She started a nationwide learning and listening tour on Wednesday at Westview Special School in Gqeberha.
There has been a steep increase in extortion against schools in the Eastern Cape. Just a week ago, the principal of Zakhele Primary School in KwaBhaca was shot and killed in front of teachers and pupils in what is believed to be an extortion-related incident.
Gwarube said her department regards extortion in schools as a crisis, especially since matric exams are approaching.
“But one of the other issues that I came here to address is the issue around safety in schools and in the communities, such as the northern suburbs of Nelson Mandela Bay but also in the OR Tambo district where we are seeing a rise in criminality in communities, which is affecting schools,” Gwarube said
She said her department will soon speak to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu about interventions to safeguard schools as exams are approaching.
In a separate incident, the principal of Efata Special School for the Blind and Deaf received a threatening text message demanding that he transfer R50,000 to a bank account or he would not live past this week.
On Tuesday, a social media post was circulated asking parents to fetch their children at Efata as the school was closing due to the extortion threats.
Eastern Cape education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the department was aware of the social media post and had sent district officials to meet with the school.
“Upon receiving the message that was circulating on social media, the department called a meeting at the school with all stakeholders.
“It was agreed that all learners must come back to school and a team was selected to call parents who have taken children, to bring them back to school. So learning will continue tomorrow,” said Mtima.
He said the department would announce a way forward after the meeting.
Pictured above: Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gate.
Source: Facebook/m=
