Fire Destroys Six Classrooms at Rauwane Sepeng Secondary School in Rustenburg

A fierce fire broke out at Rauwane Sepeng Secondary School on Monday – 04 November 2024, destroying six classrooms designated for Grade 12 learners in Tlhabane, Rustenburg. The North West Department of Education has expressed deep concern over the incident, which has disrupted the school’s operations during a crucial exam period for Grade 12 learners.

Firefighters responded swiftly, evacuating all learners and staff without injury. Despite their quick action, the fire left a significant part of the school infrastructure in ruins, causing major setbacks for the affected learners.

North West MEC for Education Viola Motsumi voiced her distress over the damage, calling it a “significant setback.” She stated, “This unfortunate event, destroying a block of classrooms, is incredibly distressing and represents a significant setback, particularly as Grade 12 candidates are currently undertaking their final exams. This will undoubtedly affect the school’s operations and efforts.”

The MEC acknowledged the challenges this incident brings to the department, especially given the existing backlog in school construction and maintenance projects. She assured the public that rebuilding efforts would be prioritized in the upcoming financial year, with a focus on restoring a safe and functional learning environment for the school community.

As investigations continue into the cause of the fire, the Department of Education is working to find temporary solutions to help Grade 12 learners complete their exams with minimal disruption.