"The incident happened in the early hours Friday, 11 October 2019. At this stage the cause of the fire is still unknown and there are no arrests," Lt-Col Amanda Funani said.

Investigations were underway. The school principal had alerted police after he was notified of the fire. Police in Delareyville were investigating a case of arson, she said.

The fire occurred just as the North West education department appealed to communities not to interfere with the end of the year matriculation examinations.

The Grade 12 national senior certificate examinations will be written from October 23 until November 28, with the practical component of computer application technology and information technology taking place on October 16 and 17 respectively. At least 39,954 Grade 12 candidates will write the exams in the North West.

The province has registered 33 014 full-time candidates and 6 940 part-time candidates. There are 16 marking venues across the province.

On Friday, Education MEC, Mmaphefo Matsemela, said the class of 2019 was a strong group, raising hopes that the North West will move upwards from position four they have been occupying for two years in a row.

ANA