Graaff-Reinet – Eastern Cape MEC for Social Development Bukiwe Fanta has called on parents and the wider community to urgently protect and restore Asherville Secondary School following reports of vandalism, declining discipline, and serious infrastructure damage.
The MEC recently revisited the school after launching the Back-to-School campaign earlier this year. Her return came after concerns were raised about the condition of the institution, which is currently undergoing renovations to introduce modern facilities.
Before construction was completed, parts of the school were vandalised. Classrooms were damaged, windows broken, and plumbing pipes stolen, leaving learners without water and functioning ablution facilities.
During a parental meeting held on Monday, 16 February, Graaff-Reinet District Education Director Nicky De Bruyn outlined the purpose of the visit and stressed the urgency of intervention. He pointed to long-standing challenges affecting the school’s performance, including poor learner discipline, concerns about educator conduct, and limited community involvement.
He said vandalism remains one of the most pressing issues, noting that the school belongs to the community and requires collective responsibility to protect it. He emphasised that parental involvement is essential in supporting learners and ensuring the school functions effectively.
Education officials also raised concerns about divisions among staff linked to sports programmes, particularly the annual rugby rivalry with Spandau. While acknowledging the value of sport, officials stressed that it must not overshadow academic priorities, adding that learning must always come first.
Addressing parents and stakeholders, MEC Fanta described schools as long-term government investments meant to serve communities for generations. She said protecting school infrastructure is a shared responsibility and condemned the destruction of sanitation facilities, noting that access to proper ablution services is a basic human right.
Despite ongoing challenges, the MEC praised the district for achieving an overall pass rate above 80 percent and acknowledged Asherville Secondary School’s academic progress, which improved from a 50 percent pass rate in 2024 to 54 percent in 2025.
Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality Mayor Willem Safers also expressed concern about the school’s condition. Drawing on his 42 years of experience as an educator and principal, he said functional schools are defined not by buildings alone but by discipline, unity, and commitment to teaching and learning.
He said a functional school is one where teaching takes place consistently, educators are present and prepared, and learners receive the support they need to succeed.
Asherville Secondary School’s newly appointed principal, Dr Elfean R. Jacobs, who assumed his role on 1 December last year, acknowledged the severity of the challenges. He described how vandalism at the start of the year left the school without water and essential facilities.
Since then, he has introduced intervention programmes, including extra classes for Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners, and has reached out to parents, businesses, and the broader community for support. He expressed confidence in the school’s recovery and set a target of achieving a 100 percent pass rate by 2026.
He said rebuilding the school requires collective effort and cooperation from all stakeholders.
Officials cautioned that while progress has begun, sustained community involvement will be critical to safeguarding the school and ensuring it reaches its full academic potential.
