THE department of Education in KwaZulu Natal has condemned in the strongest possible terms the torching of classrooms and vandalism that took place at Ndengetho High School on Thursday. According to the reports from the school, the learners were reacting to the search and seizure operations that was conducted by the South African Police (SAPS) which led to cellphones , weapons  and drugs being confiscated by members of SAPS.

AN AGREEMENT WITH SAPS

According to the school’s code of conduct learners are not allowed to take their cellphones into the school premises hence cellphones were taken by police. The department commends the act by the police as it forms part of the agreement that the department has with SAPS. It is said that SAPS and the Department of Education have a protocol agreement signed more than 10-years ago where search and seizures in schools are part of the crime prevention and awareness that happens on a regular basis.

CRIME FREE ZONES

The members of SAPS who conduct search and seizure in schools are acting in line with the agreement which is aimed at eradicating crime in schools. In terms of the agreement every school is linked to a police station and at the moment 18 000 schools in the country are directly assigned a police station to ensure that all schools are crime free zones. The department further reminded school management teams, working with school governing bodies , to ensure that schools codes of conducts are adhered to at all times to ensure school functionality which provides the basis and the conducive environment for quality teaching and learning.                                      “We applaud the work of police and we are encouraged to see that our agreement with SAPS is bearing fruits as there are many other schools, where such operations by SAPS are taking place,” said MEC of Education in KwaZuluNatal Mbali Frazer.

 BURNING THE TEACHER'S CAR

On Wednesday the KwaZulu-Natal education department condemned an incident in which a pupil allegedly torched a vehicle belonging to a Northbury Park Secondary School teacher.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            “We condemn this barbaric act. I have just spoken to the district director who will visit the school to address the matter,” said Mthethwa. The video depicts the school's parking lot where three men are frantically trying to douse the raging flames