More than 700 pupils and about 50 parents from the overcrowded Bloekombos High School in Kraaifontein took to the streets on Thursday, shutting down four high schools in the area and clashing with police.
Bloekombos, Masabani, Wallacedene and Hector Petersen high schools were all closed by 11am as the children ran riot, painting the streets red in their distinctive school uniforms.
They pelted cops with stones, damaging three SAPS vehicles, while two private homes were also burnt.
Parent, Tosama Matie, says she understands why pupils are angry and supports them.
“I understand their frustration because of the inhumane things they have to deal with at school. I have two children at Bloekombos. They are in Grade 11 and 12.
“There are only four toilets for the boys and four for the girls, at a school with more than 2000 children. It is ridiculous. The school principal told us he had informed the department about the overcrowding. We want containers for extra classrooms.”
Photo: Ayanda Ndamane/African NewsAgency (ANA)
The school can only accommodate 1 200 pupils.
On Tuesday, hundreds of children were forced to write exams sitting at desks outside classrooms.
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, says Public Order Police (POP) were on the scene to contain the situation and were attacked.
“Three police vehicles were damaged after stones were thrown at them. A case of malicious damage to property is being investigated with no arrests at this stage.”
But the Western Cape Education Department is adamant they will not give in to demands of adding extra classrooms or building a new school in the area.
WCED spokesperson, Jessica Shelver, called on SAPS to “arrest and prosecute” anyone who broke the law during the riot.
Photo: Ayanda Ndamane/African NewsAgency (ANA)
“We are informed that two houses have reportedly been burnt,” she said.
“The WCED will not be giving into the demands of the principal and SGB as they acted against the instruction of the district and admitted far more learners to the school than the school could accommodate despite the school already being at full capacity.
“The WCED also opened a new school nearby in January that is currently underutilised and can accommodate the learners.
“If they continue to shut down the school we will be forced to consider legal options, and disciplinary action against those involved will be taken.
“Sometimes principals fill their school beyond capacity to increase their salaries, and other times it is a deliberate act of defiance - either way it is the learners and educators that suffer.
“There is absolutely no doubt that this will have an effect on the upcoming mid-year exams,” Shelver said.