School doors shut on kids

09 May 2016 - 08:17 By POPPY LOUW andSHENAAZ JAMAL

Pupils at 50 schools in violence-torn Vuwani, Limpopo, have been without lessons for two weeks - with the principals of schools in neighbouring villages refusing to take them in for fear of being targeted themselves in retribution by rampaging arsonists. Former president Thabo Mbeki has called for the government to take swift action following a week of turmoil in the area and a political analyst has likened the burning down of schools to treason.With mid-year exams less than a month away, schools remain shut as government officials struggle to calm the violent protests, which arose over a demarcation dispute.Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen visited the area at the weekend and met several government and community leaders.Sources in the Vhembe district said the turmoil was likely to continue this week, with residents opposing new municipal demarcation boundaries that place Vuwani in the newly established Malamulele municipality.Police have arrested 21 people following the destruction of 24 schools, some of which were burnt to the ground. They will appear in Malamulele Magistrate's Court on charges of vandalism, malicious damage to property, arson and public violence.Mbeki warned that unrest of this kind could break out elsewhere.Speaking at the 20th anniversary of the constitution at Freedom Park, Johannesburg, yesterday, Mbeki called on the government to act swiftly.He said the Vuwani unrest signified a collapse of order and disrespect of society."There is something wrong going on in this society, which produces this type of action, and if we don't address it I'm afraid we will get this replicated elsewhere."It is an urgent matter and it was very unfortunate that there are statements coming from leadership in that region excusing and giving some explanation for this type of criminal action," Mbeki added.Political analyst Professor Adam Habib criticised those whovandalised and damaged schools, describing their acts as "shocking" and a violation of children's constitutional right to basic education."There really is something seriously wrong with society if it thinks it's OK to burn a school during a protest. Anyone who defends this kind of behaviour has something seriously wrong with them, too."How the hell did they think it was OK to damage schools? These adults have committed the worst kind of treason against their own children. With adults like these, who needs enemies?" said Habib.Following the closure of 50 schools in the area, some Vuwani parents have travelled to nearby villages to seek lessons for their children.Education spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said the restoration of law and order was a priority before any contingency plans could be made."It's difficult to implement any plan because the children form part of those communities, so residents could react any which way if law and order is not prioritised," he added.However, according to non-governmental organisation Basic Education For All, parents have been turned away from schools in nearby villages."The learners were worried because they aren't attending school. The majority of the learners whom we managed to speak with were also worried about the exams, due to take place within a month," said BEFA spokesman Tebogo Sephakgamela."Some were worried about losing a year of learning, and some of the parents were very concerned about the future of their children because they don't know how long this protest will last," he said.The unrest has jeopardised the future of 26000 pupils, some of whom were also affected by the Limpopo textbook crisis of 2012.Limpopo remains one of poorest performing provinces when it comes to matric results, scoring second-lowest in 2015 .In 2014, the province had done marginally better, scoring third-lowest of all nine provinces.In the Makhado area, the municipality that Vuwani currently falls under, only 26.3% of the population is employed, with 50% of those not economically active...

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