Home News Schools reopen in Phokwane municipal area after protests

Schools reopen in Phokwane municipal area after protests

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NC Education Department says protests in the district have negatively affected learning and teaching in Jan Kempdorp.

File picture: Courtney Africa/African News Agency (ANA)

SCHOOLS in the Phokwane municipal district have reopened after they were closed due to protests that erupted in the area at the beginning of the week.

The N18, as well as roads leading into Jan Kempdorp, was barricaded, while protesters called on Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul to personally attend to their service delivery complaints.

Northern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe said yesterday that protests in the Phokwane municipal district had negatively affected learning and teaching in Jan Kempdorp.

“Educators and pupils were unable to access their schools or make use of the learner transport services as a result of the protests and the blockage of roads,” said Van der Merwe.

He explained that the department had decided to close the schools until the unrest subsided and it was safe for teachers and pupils to return to school.

“We can confirm that schooling has since returned back to normal as teaching and learning continues. The department would like to appeal to this school community to act responsibly and not deny their children the right to education.”

Van der Merwe pointed out that the 2021 school academic year already faced a number of challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It has the potential to negatively affect the academic performance of our children. The department and all school communities must work together to ensure that every child succeeds.”

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