Fire destroys 11 classrooms at a school in Gauteng

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A fire broke out at a high school in Gauteng on Sunday evening, 27 April, destroying 11 classrooms and causing significant disruption. According to preliminary reports, the blaze started around 18:00 in an unused classroom and quickly engulfed an entire block.

The Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, expressed deep sadness over the incident.

“We condemn this senseless act of destruction in the strongest possible terms. An attack on a school is an attack on the future of our country, and acts of this nature must be treated with the utmost seriousness,” he said.

The fire destroyed classrooms and gutted the boys’ toilet block, severely affecting all male learners. Four of the destroyed classrooms were actively used by Grade 8 learners, while the rest remained vacant. Fortunately, the fire did not spread beyond the affected block, preserving the rest of the school’s infrastructure.

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) moved quickly to limit disruptions to learning. Officials confirmed that approximately 230 learners were directly impacted and would be temporarily accommodated in the school hall. A longer-term solution is also underway, with plans to deliver four fully furnished mobile classrooms.

MEC Chiloane emphasised the importance of swift recovery efforts.

“We remain committed to supporting the Riverlea High School community and will provide further updates as the situation develops,” he stated.

With most of the school’s facilities intact, operations for other grades are expected to proceed with minimal challenges when classes resume on Monday, 5 May.