In a recent development that brings relief to the educational sector in Lichtenburg, electricity services have been restored to five schools and two Department of Education offices after a disconnection by the Ditsobotla Local Municipality due to outstanding payments. This intervention is crucial for maintaining a conducive learning environment and operational efficiency in these institutions.
The municipality had pulled the plug on the affected premises as part of a broader strategy to recover an alarming R1.4 billion in debt owed to Eskom by various creditors, including government departments, households and businesses. The ongoing financial strain on the municipality has prompted measures that have significantly disrupted the educational framework in Lichtenburg.
The restoration of electricity is expected to enhance not only the operational capacity of the schools but also the overall delivery of quality education in the area. “The affected schools and offices were Laerskool Lichtenburg, Laerskool Burgersdorp, Lichtenburg English Secondary, Yusuf Dadoo Memorial Primary, and Shukran Primary School, alongside the Lichtenburg Circuit Office and Local Education Offices,” stated Lengane Bogatsu, Superintendent-General of the Department of Education, who convened a meeting to discuss the implications of the electricity cut-offs.
Bogatsu highlighted the critical nature of this issue, noting that the disconnection adversely affected academic performance. “We were extremely concerned about the electricity disconnection experienced by the five schools and the offices. Some of these schools did not owe the municipality any debt; thus, the electricity cut-off was unnecessary,” he emphasised. He cautioned that such disconnections could lead to negative outcomes, including poor educational results and increased vulnerability to criminal activities targeting schools.
This year, the Department of Education has set an ambitious target of 95% performance in matric results, a goal now jeopardised by recent electricity issues. As a preventive measure, Bogatsu urged all schools to keep their accounts with the municipality updated regularly, aiming to avert similar crises in the future.
