Welkom, Free State – Western Holdings Primary School in Welkom was closed on Monday, 1 June, following a protest by parents and community members over inadequate learning conditions.

Learners are forced to study in temporary structures that leak during rainy weather, causing repeated disruptions to teaching and learning. The poor condition of the surroundings, including overgrown grass, stagnant water, and a broken fence, exposes learners and staff to safety risks.

Outstanding school structures

The closure follows longstanding plans to build a permanent structure that have not materialised.

Jafta Mokoena, DA spokesperson for education in the Free State legislature, called on the Free State department of education to address infrastructure delays urgently.

“The MEC for education, Dr Mamiki Maboya, must commit to completing all outstanding school infrastructure projects, ensuring that learners are afforded safe and dignified learning spaces,” Mokoena said.

Mobile classrooms not a substitute

He said mobile classrooms offered by the department may provide a temporary alternative, but cannot substitute for permanent school buildings.

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“These structures often provide inadequate space for effective teaching and learning, become unbearably hot in summer and extremely cold in winter, and deteriorate rapidly over time,” he said.

Mokoena said the conditions at Western Holdings Primary School and other schools in the Free State require urgent attention.

“Safe infrastructure is essential to ensure dignity, stability, and uninterrupted teaching and learning. Learners cannot continue to pay the price for the government’s inability to deliver basic educational infrastructure,” he said.