Central SA
Free State initiative safeguards, equips learners for new school year─── ZENANDE MPAME 15:03 Tue, 02 Dec 2025
The Free State department of education is setting a new standard for learner safety and development with the launch of its seven-day holiday support programme.
The initiative is designed to protect learners during the high-risk festive period while preparing them academically and physically for the academic year. It was launched on Monday (1/12) at the Tjhebelopele Primary School in Bloemfontein.
Led by MEC Dr Julia Maboya, the initiative positions schools as safe, structured, and empowering spaces during the festive season, ensuring that learners remain protected, engaged, and academically connected even while the academic year winds down.
The programme has been running since Thursday (27/11), and will conclude this Friday. Learners will participate in daily activities at various schools across all districts.
“The programme targets learners from Grades R to 9 across all Free State schools,” said Maboya. “We saw this as an opportunity to keep learners in school, provide academic support, and ensure they begin the next academic year better prepared.
“The programme protects learners academically, morally, and physically through strengthened learning, values education, social cohesion, sports, and firm child-protection measures.”
In addition to academic revision, especially in subjects identified as challenging, the programme offers virtual lessons, safety tips, cultural games, and daily sports sessions. The MEC called on parents, caregivers, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, youth movements, and community structures to play their part in supporting learners during the holiday season and beyond.
The department previously called for a joint-hand approach in dealing with issues of school safety, stating that school safety is a societal issue and the department cannot deal with it alone.
“No child should be idle, unsafe, or left vulnerable while the world around them becomes more dangerous,” said the MEC. “A safer child becomes a stronger learner, and a stronger learner becomes a capable adult.
“And a capable adult builds a prosperous province. This programme is not only about December, but it is about the future of the Free State.”
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