School faces severe overcrowding and furniture shortagesThe MEC said the incident was particularly troubling because Eastbank High School is already grappling with significant infrastructure and furniture shortages. Designed to accommodate approximately 1,200 learners, the school currently serves more than 2,000 pupils, placing immense pressure on available resources. According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the school faces a shortage of around 1,200 desks and 600 chairs. Maile urged parents, learners, educators, governing bodies and the wider community to protect public education infrastructure. There is no excuse for burning education infrastructure, learning materials or furniture, and there can never be justification for denying children their opportunity to learn,” he concluded.