MEC Tate Makgoe says the hostel is among the few schools which are being reconstructed in the province. The hostel was gutted by fire in January 2019 and over 100 school pupils survived the ordeal.  

Also read: #BreakingNews: Trapped hostel learners escape #DrBlokFire in Bfn - VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY

In March 2021, OFM News reported that the construction was yet to start despite promises by MEC Makgoe.

Also read: Makgoe assures #DrBlokFire victims of new hostel

During the tabling of his R17 billion departmental budget, Makgoe said his department is building six school hostels to focus on improving accommodation needs for learners with special needs and farm school learners.

The Dr Blok Secondary School’s hostel was engulfed by fire at the beginning of 2019, leaving more than 100 learners without clothing, bedding and other necessities.

While no learners were seriously injured in the January 11 incident, parents and guardians have since raised concerns over the completion of the hostel, citing poor conditions of the learners’ current accommodation at a building that was previously unoccupied on the school premises.

In his budget speech at the Free State Legislature, sitting in the Fourth Raadsaal in Bloemfontein, he said the construction of hostels at three schools, including Dr Blok, was over 50%.

He said the Leboneng Special School Hostel in Lejweleputswa is 76% complete, Breda Primary School in Thabo Mofutsanyane is 58% complete, and the Dr Blok Secondary School hostel in Motheo is 78% complete.  

The construction of three more hostels, including the Oranjekrag Primary School hostel in Xhariep, is at a stage of "site handed over", the Boitumelong Special School in Motheo is still in a procurement stage, and the Trompsburg Special School hostel in Xhariep is also in a procurement stage.

“Madam Speaker, we are proud to announce that out of 31 schools that were [previously] built with inappropriate material, 30 schools have been fully completed,” Makgoe further added.

OFM News