[300317.EN.BIZ] South African Students Protest Being Schooled in Shipping Containers

STUDENTS from Philippi High School in Western Cape, South Africa, have protested outside the provincial legislature, demanding properly built schools instead of shipping containers as they are too hot in summer and too cold in the winter.

"We have been going to the department for a long time. It has been 10 years now, so it shows that they don't take us seriously," said high school senior "China" Klaas.

They went to the department of education's office in Mitchell's Plain earlier in March to object, but nothing changed. GroundUp reported on March 6 that 150 pupils participated in the march until police confronted them and told them it was illegal, Cape Town's News24Wire reported.

Mr Klaas said students tried to block the highway to draw attention to how desperate they were for proper classrooms. Police stopped them and some were arrested for alleged public violence.

Mr Klaas said there were 735 pupils in grades 10, 11, and 12, and they were upset that some of their teachers were told their contracts would not be renewed. Other grievances include filthy toilets without doors, and their computers being stolen. The pupils also wanted the headmaster and caretaker to be removed.

Source : HKSG.