Speaking at a media briefing in Rustenburg, Viola Motsumi highlighted significant progress in keeping children in school, especially in historically disadvantaged communities.

“Really, we are not complaining about overcrowding because it shows that we have reduced dropouts from schools. It means people are starting to have an interest in education, it means we are producing more learners.

“This is why we are experiencing overcrowding. As much as it’s a challenge, we must view it as a sign we are doing something about dropouts,” Mostsumi said.

To tackle overcrowding, the department is set to unveil ten newly built schools in the coming year. Motsumi said these projects are part of the broader strategy to improve access to quality education and to address challenges like long walking distances for learners in rural areas.

Motsumi touched on the disruptive impact of community protests on schools. She said in many cases, communities use school disruptions to draw attention to broader grievances with municipalities or government services.

“The department often finds itself a victim in these situations. Children are stopped from going to school to grab the attention.”

To mitigate such challenges, Motsumi has encouraged her executive council colleagues to engage directly with communities to address concerns and reduce school disruptions.

While overcrowding and long walking distances to schools remain pressing issues, she said it’s important to view these challenges as part of the broader journey toward improving education access.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh