Department of Education Extranet

MEC ZOLILE MONAKALI VISIT GARIES HIGH SCHOOL

The MEC for Education, Mr Zolile Monakali visited Garies High School, as today marks the reopening of schools for the final quarter for the 2022 school academic year. The MEC was accompanied by the Member of Parliament, Mrs. Sandra Beukes, the local Mayor, Cllr. Susarah Nero, Head of Department, Ms. Moira Marais and officials from Head Office and district office, local ward councillor and Brigadier Andrews, the District Commissioner of the SAPS.

The purpose of the visit was to provide clarity to the school community on the exact cause of the fire and the progress the Department has made, following the devastating fire on Saturday, 17 September 2022. 

The Department has delivered 5 mobile classrooms, whilst the outstanding 6 classrooms, administration block and ablution facilities will arrive by the end of the week. The delivery of School furniture which includes desks, learner and teacher furniture as well as cupboards is in progress. Learning and Teaching Support Material for learners have been sourced from Kimberley and Upington, and will arrive tomorrow. The Department is in process to procure ICT equipment for the school for administration purposes and as interim measure the District office will provide support the school. 

The Department envisage normal schooling to commence from Monday,17 October 2022, where all learners from all Grades will be accommodated. All systems are in place to ensure that no learners academic performance are negatively affected by the tragedy and a curriculum recovery plan will be implemented as from next week.

Meanwhile, the SAPS has confirmed that exact cause of the devastating fire was arson. SAPS has indicated that the fire was started in three sections of the school building. This is of great concern to the Department, that a school is destroyed by the very same community it serves. 

Our school community must take ownership of our schools and institutions of learning as they represent a beacon of hope  in our society. The Department continues to strengthen our relationship with communities through the “Love Your School Campaign”. Therefore, the active involvement of every school community is crucial to ensure that school buildings are protected and guarded against any form of vandalism and theft. It is our plea, that school communities must take ownership of our schools and become actively involved in their children's education.

Lastly, we appeal to the members of the community or anyone with information to come forward and assist the SAPS with their investigation. 

End.