Basic Education condemns vandalism of 397 schools since Coronavirus COVID-19 lockdown

The Department of Basic Education is extremely concerned that 397 schools have been vandalized around the country since the COVID-19 lockdown started.

The damage caused due to the torching and theft in the schools will have a negative impact on the implementation of the recovery plan once the lockdown is lifted. Provincial Education Departments have reported an alarming number of schools that have been vandalized. In all the burglaries learning and teaching equipment has been stolen together with other expensive items. The most common target areas in the schools are the administration blocks for Information Communication Technology equipment and the nutrition centers for the food items.

Basic Education Minister Motshekga has condemned the incidents of vandalism, burglary and destruction of schools across several provinces. The Minister has welcomed the arrests of 44 suspects thus far in Gauteng including those found in possession of stolen property linked to school break ins in the province. Two arrests were made in the last 24 hours KZN connection with the break-ins.

“It is really unfortunate that criminals in our communities could destroy the infrastructure of their own children. We applaud the work done by the Police and we hope that more arrests will be made. We want to see the arrest and prosecution of every single criminal responsible for this kind of behavior,” said Minister Motshekga.

She said communities were supposed to be caretakers of the infrastructure that government had put in place for the education of children. “These criminals must be reported to the police immediately. Let us work together to safeguard the future of our children by exposing these criminal elements,” she said.