By BAKANG MOKOTO
12 October 20226 – The North West Department of Education has expressed shock and disappointment after a block of classrooms at Tiragalo Secondary School in Kgakala Township, near Leeudoringstad, was destroyed by fire just days before the start of the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations. The fire broke out in the early hours of Friday, 9 October 2026.
The acting North West MEC for Education, Kenetswe Mosenogi said five suspects were arrested by the police on the same day in connection with the incident. Mosenogi said five block of classrooms housed a library, a computer storeroom, a textbook storeroom and three classrooms that were designated as an examination centre for Grade 12 learners.
“Several valuable items were destroyed in the fire, including 24 computers, textbooks ordered for 2027, a microwave oven, a kettle, a projector, six new doors, a table tennis board, athletics equipment for male and female learners, toilet paper, stationery and 80 boxes of Typek paper.
“We would like to express our disappointment, saying the incident was the fourth school fire in the province within two months,” she said.
Mosenogi further said on behalf of the entire department, she extremely upset by the burning down of the entire block of classrooms. She added that the Grade 12 learners have lost three classrooms that were intended to serve as their examination centre, as well as many other valuable items.
“This is totally unacceptable. We cannot tolerate the theft and destruction of learners’ property. We describe the incident as a serious setback for the department, which would once again have to rebuild a school facility destroyed through criminal acts.
“I want those who are behind this incident to face the full might of the law and receive lengthy sentences. This will serve as a deterrent to others and send a clear message that school property must be protected and that acts of criminality against our schools will not be tolerated,” said Mosenogi.
She also commended the South African Police Service (SAPS) for its swift response and the arrest of the five suspects allegedly responsible for the destruction of the school. Mosenogi said the department is working to secure alternative examination venues for the affected Grade 12 learners, as the fire occurred unexpectedly just days before the commencement of the national examinations.
“The department said arrangements were being made to ensure that the affected learners could sit their examinations despite the damage to the school,” said Mosenogi.
