The KwaZulu Natal Departnment of Education has criticised  grade 12 learners from Kusa Kusa High school in Dumbe in the Zululand District after  hey allegedly burnt down the school. According to the department of education the grade 12 learners from Kusa Kusa allegedly burnt down the school after the principal refused to allow them to have a matric ball.

SHOCKING INCIDENT

Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said the behaviour of the learners was shocking. "It is very disturbing that learners can take such a decision knowing that they were supposed to write  exams. Learners must prioritise their education first because it is the duty of the school principal to prioritise their education. Now we have to find ways to place them in other schools because it is exam season now," he said.

INSPECT DAMAGE

Mahlambi said that they have sent a team to go and inspect the the damage at the school. "According to a report we received the learners burnt about three grade classes over the weekend which makes us believe that it was indeed them who did this because last week the principal decided against the matric ball," he said. Meanwhile  the Inkatha Freedom Party has written to the department MEC Mbali Frazer asking her to cancel pens down celebrations stating that the youth were abusing alcohol, drugs and having unprotected sex during these celebrations.

NO TO PENS DOWN

The IFP noted that in anticipation, entertainment venues such as clubs, lifestyles and taverns are bracing themselves for hosting ?pens down' events. "Unfortunately outcomes from these events have proved to be detrimental to students, with some having their dreams shattered due to just a few hours of entertainment.With the much-reported upward trajectory in human trafficking and GBV, pens down events should be permanently abolished, as these celebrations are often characterised by intoxication and substance abuse, leaving young people vulnerable. Unsuspecting youth are targeted by group of human traffickers at this time, with learners and even university students reported missing at this time," said Thembeni KaMadhlopha-Mthethwa, who is the IFP Spokesperson for Education in KwaZulu-Natal Legislature.In 2021 the IFP said that such parties promoted alcohol abuse and unprotected sex. "Unprotected sex and the use I illegal substances are often a fixture of the parties and, in the past, matric final exam celebrations have claimed the lives of many young people, through car accidents and violence meted out against one another," the IFP said in a statement.