Four schools in the Ficksburg district are expected to close at the end of the 2026 academic year, while consultations are still underway for three others in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district. The department said the process is intended to ensure learners have access to better-resourced schools, specialist teachers and broader educational opportunities.

The potential closures could also affect learner transport, travelling distances and rural communities, with the department yet to finalise alternative schools and transport arrangements for the schools still under consideration.

The four schools: Barend Van Rensburg Primary Farm School, Hammonia Primary Farm School, Ramafutsana Primary Farm School and Tshebedisano Primary Farm School are all located in the Ficksburg district. The schools are among 42 in the province operating below the department’s viability threshold of 135 learners.

“The department has resolved to accelerate the rationalisation programme, which is being implemented nationally to improve resource allocation and educational quality,” said provincial spokesperson Howard Ndaba. “Sustaining schools with very low learner numbers has become both academically and financially challenging.

“No final decision has been taken regarding New Vale, Assisi and Bodibeng Primary Farm Schools, as the consultation processes are still under way. A total of 279 learners and 12 educators could potentially be affected if these three schools are ultimately closed.

“No learners have yet been allocated to alternative schools. Suitable receiving schools, their capacity, and travelling distances will first be assessed if closure is ultimately approved. The rationalisation is not intended to punish rural communities, but to rescue learners from academically compromised environments and place them where their educational needs will be best served.”

New Vale has 128 learners and four educators, Assisi has 96 learners and five educators, while Bodibeng-Ba-Thuto has 55 learners and three educators. The department said the process remains subject to the consultation and decision-making requirements of the South African Schools Act.

The Act provides for the MEC to close a public school where learner numbers fall below the applicable threshold, with the department stating this is 135 or fewer learners for primary schools and 200 or fewer learners for high schools.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg

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