MEC MABOYA URGES SAFEGUARDING EDUCATION AMID HENNEMAN SCHOOL PROTESTS

MEC Dr Mamiki Maboya

By: Staff Reporter

Dr Mamiki Maboya, the MEC for the Free State Education Department, condemns the disruptions in Henneman schools and calls for the safeguarding of educational time.

She expressed deep concern over the interruption and closure of six schools in Henneman due to ongoing service delivery protests that are unrelated to education.

For weeks, education has been halted at four primary and two high schools, depriving over 6,000 students of their educational rights.

MEC Maboya urges community leaders and residents to seek alternative methods to voice service delivery issues without compromising children's safety and education.

“Protests over service delivery should not occur at the cost of education. Education is a fundamental right that must be upheld.”

“While we honour the constitutional right to protest, using schools as a bargaining tool undermines the safety and educational opportunities of our children,” Maboya stated.

The consequences of these disruptions are severe, including the loss of educational time.

School closures and restricted access prevent students from attending, causing significant curriculum setbacks.

Safety risks: Schools are forced to close due to safety issues, with threats of vandalism and intimidation.

Infrastructure damage: Destruction of school property diverts resources from education to repairs, as observed in other regions.

Feeding scheme disruptions: Shutdowns interrupt the National School Nutrition Programme, directly impacting the nutrition of vulnerable students.

The Constitution safeguards education as a fundamental human right.

Interruptions, especially during the academic year and before assessments, have long-term impacts on student performance and advancement.

MEC Maboya calls on parents, community leaders, and protest organisers to address their concerns directly with the local government rather than disrupting schools.

Communities are encouraged to take responsibility for protecting education so that future generations are not affected by issues unrelated to education.

The MEC stated that the Free State Department of Education is dedicated to collaborating with all local stakeholders, including community leaders, to ensure schools in Henneman reopen and remain safe for teaching and learning.