The spokesperson at the Premier’s Office, Palesa Chubisi, confirmed that three schools have since been affected by the disaster. The schools include the Jagersfontein Combined School, Boaramello Combined School, and the St. Laurens Primary School. According to Chubisi, more than 109 learners from the Boaramelo Combined School, 40 learners from the St. Laurence Primary school, and 19 learners from the Jagersfontein Combined School are all victims of the mine dam disaster that left many homeless. Six teachers and two voluntary food handlers from the Boaramelo Combined School, including one teacher from the St. Laurence Primary School, and one teacher and one voluntary food handler from the Jagersfontein Combined School have also reportedly suffered due to the disaster.

ALSO READ: Free State Education on high alert following #JagersfonteinDisaster

The Provincial Education spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, previously stated that school facilities were not affected by the disaster, however, he explained that teaching and learning might be affected due to difficulties in accessing school facilities.

Chubisi adds that attendance has been relatively low due to a number of reasons, including the fact that some learners lost their belongings, non-availability of water and anxiety. She adds that social development officials are on the ground providing support whilst parents have been encouraged to release learners to attend school. She says that Jojo tanks at three schools were filled with water. The Department of Education also supplied schools with generators to help address the issue of electricity and water.

ALSO READ: #JagersfonteinDisaster: Not clear when electricity will be restored

OFM News previously reported Eskom had indicated that it's not clear when it would be able to restore the electricity supply to the Free State town of Jagersfontein after their substation was engulfed by mud on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Chubisi says that 30 learners out of 77 who were placed in Bloemfontein, were returned on 13 September 2022 and 26 of them were placed at Olien Hostel in Fauresmith, while 4 were placed at the Jagersfontein Combined Hostel. Chubisi concluded by stating that a preliminary report has indicated that the number may change due to verifications on a daily basis.

OFM News