The country-wide closure of schools due to government's rationalisation programme is causing huge problems for North West communities.

To date at least 104 schools have been closed by the provincial Department of Education. With no security at these sites, the empty buildings are not only vandalized but have also become a hiding place for criminals.

In Itsoseng, two institutions of learning are a shadow of their former glory days. One such school is Aobakwe Primary School.

Vast amounts of money that went into the construction and maintenance of the school now lies wasted.

The learners were transferred to a nearby combined secondary school due to the decline in learner numbers in both schools. The community says the schools have become crime hotspots.