Both schools have reportedly been operating without SGBs for some time, while allegations of poor governance, lack of accountability, financial mismanagement and alleged ill-treatment of teachers have surfaced. Several letters were reportedly submitted to the provincial department of education, including to the head of department, requesting intervention without success.

A notice was also circulated calling on parents, learners and community members to gather outside the district office in Welkom on Tuesday (11/8) to demand the immediate reinstatement of the SGB, the suspension of the principals of both schools and the resignation of the district director.

Free State education spokesperson Howard Ndaba told OFM News the department would not allow teaching and learning to be disrupted.

“What we will not allow, is the disruption of teaching and learning as it has been happening in the past few days and we have called on law enforcement … to intervene because in terms of the Bela Act, as you know, anyone who disrupt teaching and learning or is disrupting schooling; that is criminal act. We will then look into the possibility of opening a criminal case against anyone whose attempting to disrupt our schools.”

Ndaba said Advocate Tsoarelo Humphrey Malakoane dissolved the SGB at Welkom HTS in September last year after following all legal processes, including allowing members to make representations as to why the body should not be disbanded.

He emphasised the school remains without SGB and that elections for a new governing body are expected soon. Malakoane has already appointed administrators to perform the functions of the SGB.

According to Ndaba, the administrators are working with school management to ensure the smooth running of the school and the continuation of teaching and learning. He confirmed serious challenges were also affecting the functioning of Welkom High School.

“As far as we are concerned, the SGB has now established a committee, a task team compromising of our legal services, people from the national department of education and section that deals with issues of governance led by the chief director which is dealing with issues of Welkom high. We will be liaising with them to check how do we make sure that school governing body is functional.”

Ndaba said the department had been informed SGB members were in conflict with school principals. At one stage they attempted to discipline the principal themselves. He stressed this was not the prerogative of the SGB because the principal is employed by the department.

He also highlighted disputes over finances and teaching and learning, saying the SGB at one point opposed learner extra-class camps, took the school to court and lost the case. Ndaba said the department had taken steps to engage with the SGB to ensure proper legal processes are followed.

He added both principals remain in charge of their respective schools, with the principal of Welkom HTS working with the appointed administration, while the department continues to engage with the Welkom High SGB in an effort to find an amicable solution to the challenges.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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