CAPE TOWN – As tensions simmer in Wallacedene and Bloekombos classrooms over the presence of foreign national learners, the Western Cape Department of Education is still investigating the cause of the disruptions last week.

Education spokesperson Bronagh Hammond on Monday told TygerBurger that initial reports have indicated that three persons external to the school were involved in triggering the disruption.

“The cause for the disruption is being investigated, and we cannot confirm if this was foreign related,” she said.

But whatever the case may be, the department takes the stance that a child’s constitutional right to basic education is not limited by their nationality nor their documentation status, as confirmed by the Eastern Cape High Court, according to Hammond.

“Going forward, the WCED is engaging with the police regarding strengthening coordination with schools in terms of rapid response. We have also engaged with schools regarding rapid communication, triggering alerts to neighbouring schools about incidents in the area,” she said.

Learners run riot

This comes after some 700 learners took to the streets last Wednesday, allegedly demanding the removal of foreign nationals from their schools in protests that turned volatile when a foreign national learner was allegedly assaulted, prompting school authorities to lock learners out of the premises. A large group gathered outside the school gates, with protesters attempting to kick the gate open.

According to Hammond, the protests erupted at Masibambane Secondary School and subsequently spread to neighbouring schools, Hector Petersen and Bloekombos secondary schools. School children later moved into surrounding streets where they pelted cars with stones.

“It erupted out of nowhere, and led to chaos in the streets of Kraaifontein, that continued the next day,” one source said. Public order police were hastily deployed to the area when the children started looting vegetable stalls belonging to informal street traders, of which most are foreign nationals. These traders later reported fearing for their lives.

Hammond last week said the schools will follow due process and institute disciplinary proceedings where learners are identified as having been involved.

According to her, the department had not received reports of a foreign learner being assaulted, as alleged.

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