This is according to Chantelle Williams from the Human Rights Commission in the province. The school has for months not been fully operational, with learners in the hostel worst affected by the lack of electricity. It was unable to settle its outstanding account with Eskom which resulted in electricity being cut off. 

Attempts to negotiate a payment arrangement with Eskom were unsuccessful.

 The provincial Education Department intervened and came to the school’s rescue by paying the biggest part of the outstanding account. Education Department Spokesperson, Geoffrey Van Der Merwe, said some Grade 12 learners at this school had to find alternative accommodation and were housed by community members. 

He confirmed the situation has severely affected learners accommodated in the hostel from the surrounding towns. He said Steinkopf High School “is one of the many schools that the department bails out every year in terms of their arrears with Eskom”.

OFM News/Roderick Titus