This is according to the South African Democratic Teachers Union in the Free State (Sadtu).

According to Sadtu’s provincial secretary, Makholoane Moloi, the ratio of one teacher to thirty learners is the goal but a thorny issue in the province.

Moloi says some classes have as many as 120 learners.

He explains that the preferred ratio doesn’t apply in the province, despite the department of education indicating that it should. According to Moloi, the current ratio is one teacher to forty learners or more.

He says teachers cannot give attention to individual learners, hence we have situations at a later stage where many learners fail their subjects. It is because these learners are not being given enough attention because of the huge number of learners in classes.

"On April 20, we will be embarking on a provincial march in pursuance of our campaign against the MEC of Education. It is unfortunate but it is something that we cannot avoid as an organisation.”

OFM News