Local News
Kuruman schools reopen─── OWEN KOCK 11:35 Mon, 22 Sep 2014
Kuruman - Schooling in the troubled John Taolo Gaetsewe District in Kuruman has resumed after pupils were prevented from attending classes for more than three months over violent protests over a road the community wants tarred.
Northern Cape education department spokesperson Sydney Stander says despite grades R to 11 having to repeat their grades next year, this is good news in terms of education for all the affected pupils.
During the protests, the administration building of the Ditshipeng Primary School was set alight by suspected arsonists and principals and teachers were also threatened.
Stander says a meeting was held yesterday and a decision taken by parents to let children return to school.
The Joe Morolong Road Forum began protesting in June demanding that a 130km stretch of road be tarred. The protesters barred pupils and staff from going to school to get the attention of the authorities.
In August, national basic education spokesperson Troy Martens said 16 000 pupils from 54 schools in different villages were affected. Of these 496 were matriculants.
Earlier this month transport minister Dipuo Peters said construction on the tar road would start in two weeks.
Peters' spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said on Monday he would check on whether work had started.
The Joe Morolong Road Forum began protesting in June demanding that a 130km stretch of road be tarred. The protesters barred pupils and staff from going to school to get the attention of the authorities.
In August, national basic education spokesperson Troy Martens said 16 000 pupils from 54 schools in different villages were affected. Of these 496 were matriculants.
Earlier this month transport minister Dipuo Peters said construction on the tar road would start in two weeks.
Peters' spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said on Monday he would check on whether work had started.
Owen Kock/OFM News; additional reporting by Sapa
Sydney Stander :
