KEY POINTS
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A fire destroyed 11 classrooms at Riverlea High School, affecting 230 learners.
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The school will use the hall temporarily and arrange for mobile classrooms.
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MEC Chiloane condemned the fire and urged the public to help with investigations.
The Gauteng Department of Education confirmed that a fire broke out at Riverlea High School on Sunday. The fire started around 6 p.m. in an unused classroom and quickly spread, destroying 11 classrooms.
MEC Matome Chiloane said that four classrooms were actively used by Grade 8 learners, while others were unoccupied.
The fire also damaged a boys’ toilet block, affecting all male students at the school.
Department working on temporary arrangements for learners
Despite the destruction, the Gauteng Department of Education is working to ensure minimal disruption to learning.
With schools closed for the week, the department has put a temporary plan in place for affected learners. Students will temporarily stay in the school hall while we arrange mobile classrooms, IOL reported.
Four fully furnished mobile classrooms will replace the destroyed classrooms when they arrive.
Officials condemn the destruction and call for assistance
The fire has impacted approximately 230 learners, with Grade 8 students most affected by the loss. MEC Chiloane condemned the destruction, calling it an attack on the future of the country.
He urged the public to assist law enforcement in the ongoing investigation into the incident.
