Central SA
Free State Education concerned over school vandalism this festive season─── 12:26 Sat, 16 Dec 2023
We worry when schools close for long periods. Burglaries and wanton damage to school property are rife.”
The Free State education department has called on residents to guard against vandalism at schools during the December school holidays.
Many schools in die province were vandalised between December last year and January this year. Fourteen school were targeted in the Motheo District when property was damaged and school items such as computers, school nutrition equipment, furniture and other valuable items were stolen.
In one instance, at Legae Combined School in Bloemfontein, more than R300 000 worth of property was stolen, including 201 chairs, 469 desks, 27 doors, electrical cables, ceiling and fencing.
Free State education spokesperson Howard Ndaba. Picture: Bloemfontein Courant
Departement spokesperson Howard Ndaba encouraged communities to guard against vandalism in schools, especially during long school holidays. “(It’s) a great set back to (the) department and schools for (the) upcoming academic year.
“We worry when schools close for long periods. Burglaries and wanton damage to school properties are rife.”
Vandalism was “a pandemic department and schools have to face as they have to fix and procure stolen goods instead of investing funds in learning and teaching”.
