BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State Department of Education has lamented the ongoing National Service Delivery Forum (NSDF)-led service delivery shutdown protest in Mangaung, citing its impact on schools in townships in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo. In a media statement issued on Monday 25 May – the first day of the shutdown – the department highlighted low learner attendance at several schools.

According to Howard Ndaba, the department’s provincial spokesperson, schools in Bloemfontein were affected, with attendance hovering at 13%, while those in Botshabelo recorded 63% learner attendance. Schools in Thaba Nchu appeared unaffected, despite the shutdown protest having been planned across the three towns that form the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM).

“While the department fully respects and recognises the constitutional right of citizens to raise concerns and engage in lawful protest, it is deeply concerned by the extent to which teaching and learning have been disrupted, resulting in a significant loss of valuable curriculum time for learners,” said Ndaba.

He said preliminary reports received from the Mangaung Metropolitan Education District indicated varying levels of disruption across schools, with learner attendance significantly affected in Bloemfontein — specifically in Mangaung townships and Heidedal. 

“In Mangaung township schools, learner attendance stood at 13%, with 5 280 learners attending out of 38 110 enrolled, while educator attendance remained relatively stable at 69%, representing 860 out of 1 248 educators reporting for duty. Similarly, Heidedal schools recorded 13% learner attendance, with 2 226 learners attending out of 17 631 enrolled, while 84% of educators reported for duty, representing 458 out of 547,” said Ndaba. He said schools in the city’s suburbs, including former Model C schools, also experienced reduced learner attendance, despite satisfactory attendance among teaching and support staff.

“The Navalsig Secondary School recorded 26% learner attendance (276 out of 1 089 learners) with 92% educator attendance. Louis Botha THS recorded 47% learner attendance (524 out of 1 110 learners) with 94% educator attendance, while the Roseview Primary School recorded 32% learner attendance (420 out of 1 298 learners) with 85% educator attendance,” said Ndaba.

Botshabelo presented a contrasting situation, despite intensified efforts to enforce the shutdown.
“Botshabelo schools recorded comparatively higher attendance levels, with 63% learner attendance, representing 30 082 learners out of 47 417 enrolled, while 81% of educators reported for duty, accounting for 1 225 out of 1 513 educators.”

“The department acknowledges the commitment demonstrated by educators who continued to report for duty under difficult circumstances and appreciates the cooperation of school management teams working to maintain stability where possible,” said Ndaba.