Transport deal ends Koopmansfontein scholar protest

Protest action has subsided in Koopmansfontein after the R31 was disrupted to traffic last week, as Delportshoop pupils did not wish to stay at the school hostel.

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the Public Order Police Unit attended to the situation on August 21 when a group of disgruntled youth reportedly barricaded the R31 road in Koopmansfontein.

Delporthsoop councillor Richard Springbok said parents insisted that their children be provided with transport from Delportshoop to Koopmansfontein every day.

"There are allegations that boarders are being maltreated and that sexual activity is taking place at the hostel amongst learners." 

He explained that pupils had stayed away for the entire week as transport services were suspended after the hostel renovations were completed. 

"Children from Koopmansfontein are welcome to stay there, but no one must be forced to do so," Springbok stated. 

He added that a 65-seater was arranged following a visit by the MEC for the Department of Education to Koopmansfontein last week. 

Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Geoffrey van der Merwe, on Tuesday, said the situation had returned to normal.

"The MEC met with parents in Koopmansfontein last week. In the meantime, learner transport will continue, whilst allowing those parents who want to send their children to the hostel to do so. No major disruptions were experienced at the school, except for the closure of the R31." 

He indicated that transport was provided for pupils to travel to Koopmansfontein to Delpoortshoop Combined School daily while the hostel was renovated and refurbished.

"The department has committed to engage the school community continuously whilst attending to their concerns, which relates to the safety of their children," van der Merwe added.