Maile condemns burning of school furniture at overcrowded Eastbank High
Maile condemned the disruption of teaching and learning, stressing that pupils have a constitutional right to basic education.
Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile denounced the arson of school furniture and teaching disruptions at Eastbank High School in Alexandra on 11 August. Four desks and two chairs were destroyed in a fire on the premises. The Gauteng Department of Education opened a case of malicious property damage at the Alexandra police station.
The school will pursue disciplinary action against pupils involved. Maile expressed profound disappointment over the incident, stating that burning education infrastructure, learning materials, or furniture is never justified. Eastbank High faces severe capacity pressures, with the school built for 1,200 pupils but currently housing 2,063 – 863 above capacity.
The department delivered 1,000 chairs and 150 desks to the school during 2026, yet significant shortages persist. Maile emphasized that the destruction of even one desk or chair is unacceptable given the school's mounting needs. The department refuted claims that windows were broken due to cold weather, stating that all windows were repaired the previous year.
However, 60 windows require repairs, and eight doors need further fixes. Maile warned that repeated vandalism strains the province's limited education budget. He urged School Governing Bodies to improve financial management and prioritize routine maintenance. The department will work with the school and SGB to resolve furniture shortages, maintenance issues, and capacity pressures, while also cooperating with the police on the malicious damage case.
Maile expressed condolences to the deceased teacher's family, colleagues, and school community, but emphasized that grief cannot justify vandalism.
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