Central SA
Education fights to keep lights on after disconnections in Ditsobotla schools─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 09:58 Tue, 29 Jul 2025
The North West Department of Education has intervened to restore electricity at several schools and education offices in Ditsobotla Municipality, following disconnections due to nonpayment.
The affected institutions included Laerskool Lichtenburg, Laerskool Burgersdorp, Lichtenburg English Secondary, Yusuf Dadoo Memorial Primary, Shukran Primary School, the Lichtenburg circuit office, and local education offices.
The power outages occurred as learners returned from their winter holidays, disrupting normal school operations.
Power was restored to the five schools and two offices on Monday (28/7) after a high-level meeting between Education Superintendent-General Lengane Bogatsu, school representatives, the Department of Public Works, and Ditsobotla, said Education spokesperson Mphata Molokwane.
“The meeting successfully identified the challenges which caused the problem. All the affected Departments committed to addressing the outstanding backlogs to Ditsobotla."
Molokwane stressed the importance of a consistent electricity supply for educational institutions, noting that the restored power will significantly improve the learning environment and operational efficiency in the affected schools and offices. The department remains committed to ensuring schools function effectively in the delivery of quality education.
Meanwhile, Bogatsu expressed concern about the disconnections, particularly the revelation that not all the affected schools were in arrears. “As a department, we were extremely concerned about the electricity disconnection experienced by the five schools and the offices.
‘Disconnection will lead to poor performance’
“We were shocked to learn that some of the schools which were disconnected didn't owe the municipality.”
“The electricity disconnection was affecting schools negatively in their performance. It also exposed them to burglary activities by criminals. This year, the Department is targeting 95% performance in the matric results, but such disconnection will lead to poor performance.”
The department has now resolved that schools should update their accounts with the municipality on a regular basis to prevent similar issues in the future, said Molokwane. It remains unclear how much the schools collectively owe the municipality.
