Matrics trash prominent KwaZulu-Natal high school

Disciplinary action has been launched against several Weston Agricultural College matric learners after videos went viral showing the aftermath of them trashing the 111-year-old school following their final day of classes.

Weston Agricultural College is a boys’ high school in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands set on a 1,200-hectare working farm.

Founded on 17 August 1914, the school specialises in agricultural education, combining academics with hands-on farming, sports, cultural activities, and leisure.

According to the school, the goal is to develop disciplined young men with strong Christian values and a solid work ethic.

On 21 October, video footage surfaced showing matric learners throwing trash and manure, toppling school fixtures, breaking a window, among other acts of vandalism, after their final day of classes before final exams.

According to Weston’s School Governing Body (SGB), as is the case at many schools, the final day of matric is often marked by explosive end-of-year practices.

“Unfortunately, this year’s activities exceeded acceptable boundaries and the school is dealing with it accordingly through its disciplinary structures,” said the SGB.

“The learners involved have taken responsibility and learners assisted in restoring the premises. There are no notable structural damages except one window, which has a crack.”

They said that the matter has been handled internally, and the situation has been normalised.

“The incident occurred after school hours and was addressed promptly by the school’s management the following morning. By 08:30, all areas had been cleaned and normal school activities had resumed,” added the SGB.

However, the incident has caused a significant uproar among the old boys community.

Former Weston Agricultural College pupil Jasveer Morar has condemned the vandalism by matric learners, writing that the destruction “has gone too far.”

“This was my school, a home away from home,” Morar said. “For five years we walked through these buildings… a place where our foundation was laid to prepare us for life.”

He acknowledged that past pupils also “got up to nonsense” but said they took responsibility for their actions.

“We owned up when we got caught, we took responsibility, we didn’t call our parents to bail us out,” he said. “We respected the rules and honoured the ones who came before us.”

He called the damage “unacceptable” and added that he would no longer support the school until it addresses the issue.

An important learning curve

In response, the the SGB emphasised that Weston Agricultural College remains committed to maintaining discipline, respect and accountability among its learners.

“The school views this incident as an opportunity for reflection and learning, reinforcing that youthful mistakes, while regrettable, can also become moments for growth.”

They said that the school will also be introducing more meaningful and structured ways for future Matric learners to mark their final day.

This will be in a manner “which reflects the pride and respect we associate with being a Weston learner.”

The school appealed for all to allow it to follow its internal processes in a manner that is fair and constructive for all involved.

Looking briefly at the school’s history, originally named the Weston Agricultural and Allied Trades School, it grew from five pupils in 1914 to 60 by 1917, later becoming the Weston Farm Training School and then the Weston Agricultural College.

The campus includes historic Anglo-Boer War structures, such as stables and officers’ quarters, and a memorial to the 30,000 horses and mules that died there.

Other images and videos of the vandalism