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The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has noted with grave concern the disruption of schooling in Limpopo caused by community protests.

Committee Chairperson Ms Nomalungelo Gina said: “This is extremely concerning. The first week of the school year has been lost at some schools due to what appears to be service delivery protests. This is sad for our many learners who have looked forward to starting the new school year in earnest and who want to dedicate all their time and effort to making it a success.”

Ms Gina said that, according to reports, 30 schools in Tshitale in the Vhembe district were closed on Friday. “The Committee cannot express its concern enough for our vulnerable learners, keeping in mind that it is the same district where community protests took place last year, which led to schools being vandalised and valuable learning time lost.”

She appealed to leaders, the Limpopo Department of Education, education officials, parents and the community at large to put the interests of learners first. Ms Gina said some form of consensus needs to be reached so that service delivery protests do not affect schooling or spill over to the education sector more broadly.

According to reports, community residents and others were protesting over the construction of a road, water shortages and the non-delivery of stationery. In some areas, learners were removed from schools or did not attend schools.

“The Committee has noted the reports on the non-delivery or late delivery of stationery. As soon as Parliament is in session again, the Committee will request a meeting with the Department of Basic Education for an update on the matter.”

The Committee called for urgent intervention from all stakeholders to ensure the situation is brought speedily under control. “We do not want our learners to lose any more classroom time. It will be to their detriment, as catching up lessons is not easy.”

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Nomalungelo Gina