Thursday 26 May 2016

Vuwani pupils may have to repeat the academic year

Vuwani, Limpopo, 16 May 2016 - It's still unclear when learning will resume in Vuwani in Limpopo. More than 20 schools have been damaged in the area during protests over municipal demarcations. Video: eNCA
LIMPOPO - The Basic Education Department is concerned that pupils in Vuwani, Limpopo might have to repeat the academic year.
Officials say less than half of them have returned to school since classes resumed last week.
“We thought by now we would back to normal and we are not there yet," said Elijah Mhlanga, Basic Education spokesperson.
"We’ve tried to talk to community leaders, we’ve tried talking to stake-holders. They do try themselves, but until we have full support from everyone to ensure that Vuwani operates normally we don’t know what to do.
“Exams started today (Thursday) but in that part of the country ... exams cannot start because of the situation there. Worst-case scenario is that the learners in that area will have to repeat this year in 2017 and that will be really be unfortunate. We hope it doesn’t get to that," he said.They believe that intimidation may be a contributing factor.
Earlier this week another school was set alight, bringing the number of schools vandalised to more than 30.
Most of them were burnt down during violent protests earlier this month.

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