Local News
‘Grades R to 11 gravely affected by Koffiefontein protests’ - FS Education─── PULANE CHOANE 13:31 Tue, 06 Nov 2018
The Free State Department of Education says the ongoing situation in Koffiefontein which has led to the closure of schools is unfortunate as learners between grades 1 and 11 cannot attend school or classes.
Schools in the Free State town closed over three weeks ago following violent protests that went on for over two months. This led to the closure of schools in the town, while close to 1 000 matriculants from four schools in the town were moved to camps around the town so that they would be able to write their 2018 final National Senior Certificate examinations.
“If you look at the demands of the community, they are not really education-related but we find ourselves in the middle of this thing and as a result, our learners are not writing. Learners from grade R to grade 11 are gravely affected by this situation. But we are engaging with various stakeholders with a view to finding a lasting solution to this impasse,” Ndaba said.
Ndaba said the department hopes to have resolved the matter before the end of the year and that by then, all learners who have been inconvenienced and unable to write their exams, will have done so. Meanwhile, Ndaba also told OFM News that all attempts by the department to meet with local community leaders have come to a standstill.
OFM News had earlier reported that a meeting was set to have taken place between the town’s local leadership as well as the department, however, local leaders postponed the meeting following the leadership’s requests to have their lawyers present at the next meeting date. “The first meeting was postponed and we’ve tried to request another meeting, but we are still waiting for them to give us an audience so that we can engage on these matters,” Ndaba said.
Police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo told OFM News that there has been calm in the town and there have been no reported protests as well as no arrests in recent times.
OFM News