The Boitsanape Technical High School administration block burned to ashes on Saturday, June 17, 2023, making the Youth Month-long weekend awful for the North West Department of Education.
Boitsanape Technical High School has been burned to ruins after the fire destroyed the school's administration block, as well as valuable equipment and furniture, according to North West Department of Education spokesperson Mphata Molokwane.
"It is reported that around 4:00 p.m., another teacher alerted the principal that the administration block was on fire. The fire department was already extinguishing the fire upon his arrival at the school," said Molokwane.
The fire damaged two computers, five huge photocopying machines, textbooks, and office furniture. The fire damages are estimated to be several million.
According to Molokwane, this several million is an estimation, not the actual costs of damages. These costs emanate from observations that are not expert opinions. “As the department, the first thing we are going to do is to send a team of inspectors from infrastructure to go and assess the extent of the damages. Their consolidated report will inform the department what needs to be done exactly," said Molokwane.
North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, was disappointed that the incident happened immediately after Youth Day.
"On behalf of the department, l wish to express our extreme disappointment that this unfortunate incident happened immediately after a historic day on June 16. This is a real drawback for the department, especially now during a critical mid-year examination period.
"We do not expect such a horrible incident like this in our schools. Already we are working on the list of schools which need our attention during this financial year. This one was never in our plans at all. We are confident that the police will get to the bottom of what caused the fire," said MEC Motsumi
Grade 12's are expected to finish their mid-year examination on Wednesday, June 21 2023, as the department and police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
The school community is suspicious of criminal activity as a result of the unidentified cause of the fire, and the news saddens some.
"Sad news indeed, let us hope the fire resulted from human negligence, not an intentional action. We also hope and trust that the proactive SGB insured all affected assets and public works had also insured the building to relieve MEC from her fear of financial drawback, though it is such an inconvenience," said Obonolo Marope, a concerned community member.
