Emeutes scolaires au Bostwana – 15-16 mai 2011

Botswana closes schools amid riots caused by civil service strike

africareview.com

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By WENE OWINO in GaboronePosted

Monday, May 16 2011

All government primary and secondary schools in Botswana were closed indefinitely Monday after students rioted to protest the absence of learning caused by a national strike by civil servants.

The minister of Education, Ms Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, explained in a statement that the closure was meant to « protect » students.

The minister made the announcement after riots by students threatened to get out of control at a time when the government was grappling with the strike.

On Friday, secondary school students in various parts of the country went on the rampage demanding that the government sort out the strike so that learning could resume.

Pitched battles ensued when the police tried to stamp out the riots. Matters nearly went out of control when students from Molepolole, 60km north of the capital Gaborone, overpowered the police.

Armed with stones, the students chased police officers all over the urban village with some security men taking cover in supermarkets and shops.

The riots continued on Monday, threatening to balloon into a fully-fledged national rebellion, as more schools joined the protests. Read more…