Arson Attack Destroys Seven Classrooms at Tosca Primary School

The North West Department of Education expressed dismay following the burning of seven classrooms at Tosca Primary School in Tosca Village, under Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality, on Friday, 19 April 2024.

According to reports, the Department of Labour had closed a block of three classrooms on Tuesday, 16 April 2024, citing substandard conditions for teaching and learning. Subsequently, the community decided to close the entire school.

The incident occurred around 11:00 on the day of the attack, with a group of individuals entering the school premises and setting fire to seven classrooms, school furniture, files, textbooks, and damaging Grade R equipment.

MEC Viola Motsumi of the Department of Education condemned the incident, stating, “This is extremely sad and disturbing. It is disturbing that there are still communities in this province who vent their anger by burning school properties. A school is a centre of knowledge for the community. Really, how do we expect learners to acquire information when we burn schools? Already learners have lost 5 days of learning and teaching. We have lost all the records of learners due to this horrible incident. As a department we condemn this incident in the strongest terms and call for the immediate arrest of all those behind this fire.”

The department took swift action by dispatching a team of officials, led by Acting Superintendent General Mr. Maropene Seshibe, to meet with local leaders on Sunday, 21 April 2024, to discuss potential solutions. The department committed to delivering mobile classrooms on Monday, 22 April 2024, to aid in continuing teaching and learning.

Furthermore, a team of counselors from the department has been put on standby to provide support to both learners and teachers once teaching and learning resume.