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WENDY MOTHATA |
THE North West Department of Education said all learners who were allegedly abducted from Tirelong Secondary School in Kroondal have returned to school.
“Tirelong learners have returned to school. In a meeting held last week, the parents have agreed that all learners should return to school,” said spokesperson Elias Malindi.
The department said the learners were allegedly abducted by unknowing people from schools. This is after learners at Tirelong School were transferred to Boons, Moedwil and Naauwpoort Mega Farm Schools after Tirelong Secondary school was vandalised during school holidays.
“The learners of Tirelong Secondary School were allegedly abducted from school by unknown people. About 54 learners from Naauwpoort Mega Farm School were allegedly forcefully removed and 162 learners were taken away from Boons Mega Farm School,’ Malindi.
The department invited the Tirelong Secondary School parents to a meeting. The purpose of the meeting was for parents to sign the commitment letters to allow learners to stay at the boarding schools.
According to the statement parents have agreed that ‘children should be allowed to go back to school, without any disturbance’.
Angy Moseki, the mother of Katlego and Phemelo who are both in Grade 8 at Boons Mega Farm School said she is emotional because people disturbed the studies of her children.
“I am totally emotional against those people who disturbed the studies of my children. We signed the consent forms with the department and some unknown people forcefully remove them without our permission. We want people behind these removals should face the full might of the law”, said Moseki.
The mother of Grade 11 learner, Mmaditshwanelo Paeea said the children must be allowed to go back to school. She further appealed to the government to protect the children at boarding schools,
“Let our children be allowed to go back to school. We are appealing to the government to protect our children. No one has a right to take away the education of our children. We want to thank the department for taking our children to a better learning environment”, said Paeea
The Provincial MEC for Education, Mmaphefo Matsemela assured parents that learners are safe at the boarding schools.
“I want to assure the parents of Tirelong Secondary School that as a department of education we will take care of the learners. In our boarding schools’ learners are getting the best care,” said Matsemela.
The MEC assured parents that going forward those who deny learners their right to education are brought to the book.
“Going forward, we will ensure that those people behind the denial of learners their right to education are brought to book. We have taken these learners to high performing schools. Naauwpoort Mega Farm School obtained 100% and Moedwil Mega Farm School obtained 85,2% in their matric examinations. I am confident that these learners will do exceptionally well in their final examinations”, said Matsemela.
The department said it is currently working on a plan to strengthen the safety and security of the affected boarding schools.
-Inside Education