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Violent protest closes school
25/04/2008 14:10 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Colala Secondary School in Mount Frere, Eastern Cape, was closed after violent protests by students who want to do their matric after having failed grade 11, the school's principal said on Friday.
"The school was closed on Thursday after pupils vandalised property and assaulted teachers during the week - we will re-open on May 6," said Yolisa Maqashalala.
She explained that pupils who failed Grade 11 last year arrived at school very late in the year, and joined the Grade 12 class to do their matric.
"When they were told that they had to go back to Grade 11, the pupils who were condoned last year thought that they had to as well. That is where the miscommunication occurred."
Twenty-two pupils were arrested in the protests during the week.
A female teacher was wounded in one of the attacks. Students also tried to burn her car, and the staff offices. Classrooms, were vandalised and a number of computers and 49 bicycles, which had been donated to the school were destroyed.
She said pupils were also making "ridiculous demands" such as not wanting to wear school uniforms, and being able to have long hair. The male protesters are also demanding that female teachers must not wear short skirts and tight tops.
"They do not want rules or discipline in the school, and that is just ridiculous," she said.
Police said that the 22 arrested pupils were between the ages of 15 and 20.
"We are not sure when they will appear in court, and I am sure that we will make more arrests soon," said spokesperson Captain Alfred Jozana.
Maqashalala said there was no recovery plan for the students as yet.
"Pupils were told that when they get back to school, they are going to have to learn in dilapidated classrooms. We are not sure when repairs on the school are going to begin," Maqashalala said.
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