TZANEEN – The Limpopo Department of Education has responded to public outcry following allegations that it plans to close Mookgo Secondary School in Mawa Block 6 and merge it with Mamoding Secondary School in the Tzaneen area without properly informing parents.

The controversy comes in the wake of a protest march led by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to the Department of Education’s offices in Tzaneen on May 8.

One concerned parent told the Herald that parents are frustrated over the lack of communication from the department. She claimed that while discussions about the school merger have been ongoing since December 2023, parents were never formally consulted.

“Instead of holding a meeting with parents to explain the merger and its implications, the department and school stakeholders continued discussions privately,” she said. “It was only a few weeks ago that learners who travel by bus were informed they would no longer be attending Mookgo but Mamoding instead, without any prior notice to us as parents.”

She also said that Mookgo Secondary currently has only about 100 learners, largely due to the small size of the village. However, she raised concerns that Mamoding Secondary, the school they are being merged with, is located far from their community.

In response, Limpopo Department of Education spokesperson Mike Maringa confirmed that the school is being considered for closure due to low enrolment numbers.

“According to policy, a secondary school with fewer than 200 learners is not considered viable,” Maringa stated. “Because of low enrolment, the department cannot allocate additional educators to Mookgo. We are currently exploring the best solution to ensure quality education for the affected learners.”

Maringa emphasised that any final decisions will be made with the learners’ best interests in mind, though no timeline for the merger or relocation process has been provided.