The Free State department of education has warned residents and parents not to disrupt teaching and learning at Welkom High School and Welkom HTS, after calls for protests and leadership changes over alleged governance failings at both schools.
Department moves to protect schooling
Free State education spokesperson Howard Ndaba told OFM News the department would not permit any action that impedes the functioning of the two Welkom schools. The dispute follows allegations of poor governance, lack of accountability, financial mismanagement and ill-treatment of teachers.
“What we will not allow, is the disruption of teaching and learning as it has been happening in the past few days and we have called on law enforcement … to intervene because in terms of the Bela Act, as you know, anyone who disrupt teaching and learning or is disrupting schooling; that is criminal act,”
He said the department was considering opening a criminal case against anyone attempting to disrupt schooling, and had asked law enforcement to intervene.
Background: SGB dissolved, administrators appointed
Ndaba confirmed Advocate Tsoarelo Humphrey Malakoane dissolved the Welkom HTS school governing body (SGB) in September last year after following legal processes and allowing members to make representations. The school has remained without an SGB since then and administrators were appointed to perform SGB functions.
According to Ndaba, the administrators are working with school management to ensure the continuity of teaching and learning. He also said serious challenges were affecting Welkom High School’s functioning.
Community action and demands
Multiple letters were reportedly submitted to the provincial department, including to the head of department, asking for intervention. A notice circulated calling on parents, learners and community members to gather outside the district office in Welkom on Tuesday 11 August to demand:
- the immediate reinstatement of the SGB;
- the suspension of the principals of both Welkom High School and Welkom HTS;
- the resignation of the district director.
The department insists any protest must not interfere with classroom activities. Ndaba said school governing body elections for Welkom HTS are expected soon.
What the department says it has done
Ndaba told OFM that, in the case of Welkom HTS, the legal dissolution followed full procedural steps and representations by members. For both schools, the department has engaged administrators and is monitoring the schools’ operations.
| School | Current status | Action taken |
|---|---|---|
| Welkom HTS | No SGB (dissolved Sept last year) | Administrators appointed; SGB elections expected |
| Welkom High School | Reported governance challenges | Department monitoring; task team involvement reported |
Legal and practical implications
The department referenced the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act — under which disruptive conduct that prevents teaching and learning can be criminalised. Ndaba said the department will explore legal remedies where necessary, including possible criminal charges for those who intentionally disrupt schooling.
For parents and learners, the immediate impact of any sustained protest would be loss of teaching days, potential exam disruption and stress for teachers and pupils. The department’s public stance is aimed at preserving the academic programme while governance complaints are resolved through administrative and legal channels.
What comes next
The department has indicated it will continue to work with appointed administrators, school management and relevant stakeholders to restore stable governance at the two schools. Elections for an SGB at Welkom HTS are anticipated, but no firm dates were supplied in the report.
Community members with grievances are encouraged by education officials to use formal grievance procedures and engagement channels rather than actions that could halt classroom learning. Law enforcement involvement has been requested to ensure compliance.
The situation will be monitored closely by provincial education authorities. Any further developments, including the scheduling of SGB elections or formal disciplinary or criminal processes, will determine the next phase of the response.
Reporting based on an OFM News report.
