Service delivery protests around Elliotdale in the Mbhashe municipality have led to the closure of more than 13 schools, forcing pupils and teachers to flee.
Pupils at Ngangolwandle Senior Secondary School, two other high schools and 10 junior secondary schools around Elliotdale were kicked out by angry villagers during service delivery protests last week.
Disruption of schooling is expected to continue from today, with the provincial education department saying protests had been ongoing for three months now.
In Ngangolwandle, infamous for being one of the most overcrowded schools in the country, pupils were kicked out by angry villagers. There has been no schooling amid threats of violence.
The village is one of many in Mbhashe which do not have access to electricity and water.
While electricity infrastructure is available, houses have yet to be connected. Villagers are forced to fetch water from springs and share water with livestock in a small dam.
As a result of the lack of service delivery, villagers embarked on protests which led to the closure of the schools.
Now teachers at Ngangolwandle are giving lessons to Grade 12 pupils at Mancam Junior Secondary School while the school remains closed.
In a text message to the Daily Dispatch, education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said wards 17, 18 and 19 in Elliotdale were the worst affected.
“These are service delivery protests that are targeting schools to draw attention. They want water, electricity, clinics and roads.
“Trucks and vehicles belonging to teachers and police have been burnt down and more schools have closed down.
“Ngangolwandle Grade 12 learners receive tuition from their teachers at Mancam JSS in the Mthatha District as we speak – as per arrangement between the two schools.”
Community member and the leader of the Bomvane Development Forum in Elliotdale, Simon Genukile, confirmed that more than 13 schools had been affected by the protests.
“Our main worry is that there are more than 2000 matric pupils that are affected by this. That is what is disturbing us. We have tried to reason with the aggrieved communities but some of them are violent – they even burned cars,” said Genukile.
Ngangolwandle school principal Wisizwi Billie said that the school had received a call around 3pm last Tuesday afternoon and was told by the leaders of the protest to vacate the school before 7am the following day.
“This is the second time pupils have been kicked out of the school.
“We hope by Wednesday they will be able to start with their studies as we are concluding discussions with two schools that will accommodate us in Mthatha,” said Billie. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
Elliotdale pupils suffer as schools shut down
Pupils at Ngangolwandle Senior Secondary School, two other high schools and 10 junior secondary schools around Elliotdale were kicked out by angry villagers during service delivery protests last week.
Disruption of schooling is expected to continue from today, with the provincial education department saying protests had been ongoing for three months now.
In Ngangolwandle, infamous for being one of the most overcrowded schools in the country, pupils were kicked out by angry villagers. There has been no schooling amid threats of violence.
The village is one of many in Mbhashe which do not have access to electricity and water.
While electricity infrastructure is available, houses have yet to be connected. Villagers are forced to fetch water from springs and share water with livestock in a small dam.
As a result of the lack of service delivery, villagers embarked on protests which led to the closure of the schools.
Now teachers at Ngangolwandle are giving lessons to Grade 12 pupils at Mancam Junior Secondary School while the school remains closed.
In a text message to the Daily Dispatch, education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said wards 17, 18 and 19 in Elliotdale were the worst affected.
“These are service delivery protests that are targeting schools to draw attention. They want water, electricity, clinics and roads.
“Trucks and vehicles belonging to teachers and police have been burnt down and more schools have closed down.
“Ngangolwandle Grade 12 learners receive tuition from their teachers at Mancam JSS in the Mthatha District as we speak – as per arrangement between the two schools.”
Community member and the leader of the Bomvane Development Forum in Elliotdale, Simon Genukile, confirmed that more than 13 schools had been affected by the protests.
“Our main worry is that there are more than 2000 matric pupils that are affected by this. That is what is disturbing us. We have tried to reason with the aggrieved communities but some of them are violent – they even burned cars,” said Genukile.
Ngangolwandle school principal Wisizwi Billie said that the school had received a call around 3pm last Tuesday afternoon and was told by the leaders of the protest to vacate the school before 7am the following day.
“This is the second time pupils have been kicked out of the school.
“We hope by Wednesday they will be able to start with their studies as we are concluding discussions with two schools that will accommodate us in Mthatha,” said Billie. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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