Matriculants of Harrismith in the Free State are three weeks behind in their schoolwork due to protests in the area. Matriculants were seen roaming around in the township instead of being in class.
One learner said:
We are stuck here at home. We cannot study at home because of disruptions. It's a very sad thing and it's painful for Matriculants of this year.
Other Matriculants are disappointed and are worried about how this will affect their final exams.
We've already lost three weeks.
Parents are calling for the Department of Education to put a catch up plan in place saying, "We want the community to be employed so now the problem is that this strike is affecting the children going to schools".
Violent protests have taken place in Harrismith over poor service delivery in the area. Unfortunately, members of the community are adamant that the strike must continue saying, "we want our needs to be met".
Community leaders met with ANC members to pave a way forward where they agreed that they would have people to deal with issues of service delivery but the community wants the President to intervene.
The Department of Education has said that there is a plan in place to help learners catch up on the time lost.
