MEC condemns burning of schools

Children should be allowed to attend school to further their education. (Image: Public Domain)

This, after a fifth school was burned on Wednesday morning in the area, a day after learners in Malamulele attended classes for the first time in 2015, after being barred by violent protests in the area.

"The Acting MEC Ndou received with shock and dismay the news of the burning of the storeroom with learning and teaching material at Nkatini Secondary School, in Xigalo village this morning," the department said.

The provincial department said there was also an attempt to burn the principal's office at the PP Hlungwane School in the same area.

"We welcomed the end of the protest and banning of schooling and as the department we are doing all in our power to restore smooth learning and teaching processes.

"We cannot allow a situation where some people deny our kids learning opportunities. We request the law-enforcement to deal with the culprits," said the Acting MEC.

Acting MEC Ndou said the state continues to strive to make provision in accordance with the constitution and education policies. He said this needs the whole community to rally behind the education of their children.

"Education is an apex priority of this country. We cannot realise the objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP) with the generation that is deprived of the right to education. We plead that community members take ownership of the education facilities and protect them," he said.