IN CONVERSATION WITH STEVE MABONA
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The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed that a fire broke out at Riverlea High School on Sunday evening, destroying 11 classrooms.
According to Education MEC Matome Chiloane, preliminary reports suggest the fire started around 6 PM in an unused classroom before spreading rapidly throughout an entire block.
"This fire resulted in the complete destruction of 11 classrooms, including all furniture inside," said Chiloane. "Of the classrooms affected, four were being actively used by Grade 8 learners, while the remaining seven were unoccupied."
The blaze also gutted the boys' toilet block, meaning all male learners at the school will be impacted by the damage.
Fortunately, the fire occurred during a national school holiday week, and no injuries were reported. The rest of the school’s infrastructure remains intact, and operations for unaffected grades are expected to continue with minimal disruption. Approximately 230 learners have been directly affected by the fire.
Chiloane strongly condemned the incident, calling it a senseless attack on education.
"An attack on a school is an attack on the future of our country. Such acts must be treated with the utmost seriousness," he said.
The Gauteng Department of Education has already set a recovery plan in motion to ensure that learning resumes smoothly when schools reopen on Monday, 5 May 2025.
"As an interim measure, affected learners will be accommodated in the school hall, while arrangements are being finalised to deliver four fully furnished mobile classrooms to replace the ones lost in the fire," Chiloane confirmed.
He further appealed to the public for assistance:
"We urge anyone with information about the fire to come forward and assist law enforcement in their investigations. We remain committed to supporting the Riverlea High School community and will continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds," he said.
According to Education MEC Matome Chiloane, preliminary reports suggest the fire started around 6 PM in an unused classroom before spreading rapidly throughout an entire block.
"This fire resulted in the complete destruction of 11 classrooms, including all furniture inside," said Chiloane. "Of the classrooms affected, four were being actively used by Grade 8 learners, while the remaining seven were unoccupied."
The blaze also gutted the boys' toilet block, meaning all male learners at the school will be impacted by the damage.
Fortunately, the fire occurred during a national school holiday week, and no injuries were reported. The rest of the school’s infrastructure remains intact, and operations for unaffected grades are expected to continue with minimal disruption. Approximately 230 learners have been directly affected by the fire.
Chiloane strongly condemned the incident, calling it a senseless attack on education.
"An attack on a school is an attack on the future of our country. Such acts must be treated with the utmost seriousness," he said.
The Gauteng Department of Education has already set a recovery plan in motion to ensure that learning resumes smoothly when schools reopen on Monday, 5 May 2025.
"As an interim measure, affected learners will be accommodated in the school hall, while arrangements are being finalised to deliver four fully furnished mobile classrooms to replace the ones lost in the fire," Chiloane confirmed.
He further appealed to the public for assistance:
"We urge anyone with information about the fire to come forward and assist law enforcement in their investigations. We remain committed to supporting the Riverlea High School community and will continue to provide updates as the situation unfolds," he said.
