School rampage over poor results

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RUBBISH bins and tyres were set alight and school property destroyed during a violent protest at Ongoye High School in KwaDlangezwa last week.

Teaching grounded to a halt on Thursday morning when pupils went on the rampage inside the school grounds.

The chaos started when pupils received their June report cards created by the Learner Unit Record Information and Tracking System (LURITS).

They blamed the principal for their poor results and started breaking windows and other property.

‘We failed all subjects, even IsiZulu. We used to pass when our report cards were done by teachers, not this system,’ one pupil told the Zululand Observer.

LURITS collects data for each pupil and determines whether they receive a pass or a fail mark.

It also tracks the movement of each pupil and is linked to a district, provincial and national server.

This method ensures pupils’ information is accessible to the district office that can be easily monitored.

Pupils also accused the principal for being too ‘strict’.

On Monday Department of Education (DoE) officials visited the school and the gates were temporarily closed.

According to uThungulu District DoE Director David Chonco, this system was introduced nationally and linked to other departments, including Home Affairs.

‘This is meant to improve the functionality of the department. We have met with the School Governing Body (SGB) and the talks are continuing,’ Chonco said.

He added that the damages are being assessed, but the department would not pay for any damage.

‘Pupils have to learn to be more responsible. The department won’t use taxpayers’ money to replace property which was destroyed on purpose,’

He also pleaded with parents to assist and play a role in ensuring their children don’t get involved in violent acts.

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