Latest news with #RiverleaHighSchool
Eyewitness News
26-05-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
GDE says repairing Riverlea High classrooms gutted by fire to cost around R2.5m
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Education Department said that repairing classrooms gutted by a fire at Riverlea High School would cost around R2.5 million. In April, a blaze broke out at the Randburg school, damaging 11 classrooms, including a block of toilets. While the cause of the fire is still being investigated, the department has since provided four mobile classrooms, as repairs are set to take a while to complete. Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said they were also improving the school's safety infrastructure. "And the school is currently in a better place to be in a position to fight any fire that might be, or rather, occur in the school. We noticed that the last safety inspection, rather the fire safety inspection, was not recorded prior to the incident. But plans are afoot to make sure that the City of Johannesburg assists us, you know, in the second quarter."
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- The Citizen
Gauteng education responds to school scandals
Complaints about the SGB's financial practices prompted a governance intervention in April The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has addressed a series of concerns involving Unity Secondary School in Daveyton, a fire incident at Riverlea High School, and challenges in funding for Schools of Specialisation (SoS). The department on Monday acknowledged allegations that teaching posts were being sold at Unity Secondary School. The case dates back to a 2024 complaint alleging that a R17 000 deposit was made into a teacher's account in exchange for employment. 'The implicated teacher denied any involvement, and with no further cooperation from the complainant, the matter was closed due to a lack of evidence,' the GDE said. The department also responded to claims that parents were forced to pay R450 for student report cards. It said this was 'a voluntary donation, agreed upon at the Annual General Meeting', which aligns with Section 37(1) of the South African Schools Act. Complaints about the School Governing Body's (SGB) financial practices prompted a governance intervention in April. 'All SGB members were granted access to the school's financial statements, and communication structures were strengthened,' said the GDE. ALSO READ: Education minister calls on all roleplayers to help kids' kids bullying Decline in pass rates and staffing shortages The department acknowledged a decrease in the school's matric pass rate from 98% in 2020 to 86% in 2024. In response, it has rolled out teacher development programmes and learner support through the Secondary School Intervention Programme (SSIP). Staffing shortages remain an issue. 'The school currently has two vacant departmental head (DH) posts and one vacant deputy principal post,' the statement confirmed. A mid-year appointment is expected for the deputy principal position. ALSO READ: Discipline and learning collapse at Wordsworth High School Riverlea High fire under investigation Riverlea High School sustained significant infrastructure damage after a fire broke out on 27 April. Investigations by the South African Police Service (Saps) forensic unit are ongoing. While five mobile classrooms were delivered to reduce disruptions, the department confirmed that 'no expenditures to report at this time' for the R2.5 million repair plan. The school had limited fire safety infrastructure, and the last fire safety inspection was not recorded before the incident. Fire blankets and basic firefighting training were introduced after the fire, and further collaboration with emergency services is planned for later this year. ALSO READ: VIDEO: Second blaze destroys 11 Riverlea High School classrooms Specialisation schools face budget constraints Funding for SoS schools has been reduced due to broader budgetary constraints. However, the department said it 'continues to pay salaries for all state-employed educators and supports infrastructure costs, excluding minor maintenance.' The GDE reiterated that schools can supplement resources through fundraising. 'Any additional needs are to be addressed through the school's fundraising initiatives,' the statement read. The department urged collaboration with SGBs and stakeholders to improve accountability and learning outcomes. 'These issues are being attended to with the necessary diligence,' it said. NOW READ: School in south of Joburg rocked by sexual harassment claims
The Citizen
09-05-2025
- The Citizen
What were you doing at 11? Not setting fire to a school, I hope
Discipline may begin at home, but it is refined in the community, including in schools. At least eleven classrooms have been destroyed after a fire gutted the Riverlea High School. Picture: Gauteng Education Department. Children will be children … until they set fire to a school. The Riverlea community was recently rocked by alleged arson at a high school in the area, destroying 11 classrooms and a bathroom block. The fire broke out just days before the school would welcome students back for their second term. As mobile classrooms were delivered to the school, so learning could continue this week, three 11-year-old boys came forward and were questioned over the fire. While police and the Gauteng Department of Education could not confirm whether the boys admitted to setting the school on fire, it has thrown the state of oversight and discipline at schools back into the spotlight. Questions need to be asked about security and infrastructure at a school that allows any arsonists, whether 11 years old or not, access to the premises. There may always be a 'hole in the fence' that kids can sneak in and out of, but that should not be accompanied by a blind eye and indifference. Education MEC Matome Chiloane has rightly raised concerns about the ill-discipline of students and the poor state of teaching at some schools, admitting that this has often led to vandalism by pupils. ALSO READ: 24 Gauteng schools vandalised during December holidays Discipline may begin at home, but it is refined in the community, including in schools. The village that once raised a child has been decimated by poverty, absent parents, and selfishness. Instead of actively disciplining and developing children, jaded neighbours turn away when they hear trouble, saying it is none of their business. Even police are known to be selective when responding to incidents. The most heartbreaking is when this attitude penetrates the classroom, with teachers absent or disinterested. Students, impacted by the world beyond the school gate and unable to get the help they need, carry their emotional and social baggage along with their school bags. When they leave school, they are often in the care of transport drivers whose only motive is to squash as many children in a combi as possible, no matter the state of the vehicle. Many of these drivers, as The Citizen reported this week, are not vetted against the Child Protection Register (CPR). It is a potent cocktail that not only puts lives in danger but kills the green shoots of hope education provides. ALSO READ: A VIEW OF THE WEEK: We're counting on the wrong GNU The fight to get an education at school The Riverlea community is already plagued with gangsterism, addiction, water and electricity issues that have seen them take to the streets and shut down roads. The only way out of the daily crises they often found themselves in is through education. But even the most dedicated student faces a near-impossible fight to stay motivated when schools are closed because of failing service delivery, apathy, and then fire. It is one of many communities across the country where education is earned the hard way. The Department of Basic Education revealed this week that more than 390 schools across the country are in 'very poor' condition. Only 12% are classified as being in 'excellent' condition. Among the challenges are overcrowding, unsafe buildings, and missing infrastructure. It will take collaboration between the government, parents, teachers, and the community to overcome these struggles. Otherwise, all efforts will go up in smoke. NOW READ: A VIEW OF THE WEEK: It's a warzone and we are not prepared
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- The Citizen
Bodies of three missing constables identified by families
Families have identified the bodies of three police constables found in the Hennops River following an intensive six-day search. The South African Police service (Saps) has confirmed that three of the five bodies discovered in the Hennops River in Centurion are those of the police constables who were reported missing. The bodies of 24-year-old Constable Cebekhulu Linda, 30-year-old Constable Keamogetswe Buys, and 20-year-old Constable Boipelo Senoge have been positively identified by their families on Tuesday. The police confirmed on Tuesday evening that one of the other two bodies is an admin clerk attached to the Lyttleton police station. Constables' bodies identified by families The police's search and rescue members were scouring the Hennops River along the N1 for the bodies when they made the grim discovery on Tuesday. The search comes after the constables were travelling in a white VW Polo sedan from Bloemfontein to their area of deployment in Limpopo when they went missing. ALSO READ: Bodies believed to be of three missing police officers recovered at Hennops River The police announced earlier on Tuesday that they had found three bodies and later confirmed the discovery of five bodies at the site. Speaking to the media, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said a high-level Saps team spent sleepless nights for six days combing through Gauteng, Free State and Limpopo searching for the missing police officers. After reviewing all available leads and evidence, the police's investigation took them past the Buccleugh intersection and onto John Voster Drive, which is located between the Grasmere Toll Plaza on the N1. Body of admin clerk from Lyttleton police station also found 'Ladies and gentlemen, I am unfortunately not the bearer of good news this evening. We had hoped to find our three police officers safe, unharmed and alive, but this is not the case,' Masemola said. 'It is with deep sorrow that I confirm that our three members have been found, together with two other bodies, one being an admin clerk that is attached to our Lyttleton police station.' ALSO READ: Police open case of arson after fire guts Riverlea High School [VIDEO] The commissioner said the investigation and search led them to Hennops River on Monday, where officers found pieces of vehicle parts believed to be a VW Polo along the N1. This discovery led officers to the banks of the river, where they located a Renault Kangoo panel van. Saps and Tshwane divers immediately began searching and discovered two bodies – one belonging to the Renault driver and the other to Constable Senoge. The driver ended up being the admin clerk. Two bodies found on Monday, three found on Tuesday The team abandoned the search on Monday night because darkness made it too dangerous to continue. Masemola said the team discovered a third body, believed to be that of Constable Linda, on Tuesday morning. Officers also found a fourth decomposed body, which still requires identification. Later on Tuesday, they recovered Constable Buys' body. ALSO READ: Police offer R350,000 reward for information on missing constables [VIDEO] The families went to the mortuary, where they identified the bodies of their children and loved ones. 'We don't want to speculate at this stage what led to the discovery of these bodies in this river, whether it was an accident or not. Our investigation will reveal those aspects once we find their vehicle,' the commissioner said. He added that the police did not expect this case to unfold like this, but Saps is hoping for a positive outcome. 'Painful closure to families' 'Be that as it may, we are relieved that we could provide the painful closure to the families and the broader Saps family. Investigations are still continuing into this matter,' Masemola said. The search for the VW Polo continues. NOW READ: Police investigation swings into gear after constables go missing near Grasmere plaza
IOL News
29-04-2025
- IOL News
Senior detectives, specialists deployed to probe arson at Riverlea High School in Gauteng
A devastating fire at Riverlea High School has destroyed 11 classrooms, affecting 230 learners and prompting urgent action from the Gauteng Department of Education. Police in Gauteng have opened a case of arson and investigations are underway after Riverlea Secondary School was burnt on Sunday. IOL reported on Monday that the Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed that Riverlea High School was rocked by a fire on Sunday, which destroyed 11 classrooms and left the school community reeling as authorities scramble to determine the cause. On Tuesday, Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said a team of senior detectives, including forensic science laboratory members, has been established to investigate the matter. The law enforcement team is also tasked to trace the people responsible for the arson attack on the school. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'The police are appealing to anyone who might have information that can help in the investigation to call Captain Merinah Netshidzati on 071 675 6155,' said Masondo. 'Information can also be given anonymously via My SAPS App that can be downloaded from any smartphone.
