Free State dept of education

13/06/2026

1 Million School Shoes, 1 Step towards a bright future!

MEC for Education, Dr. MJ Maboya led a delegation comprising of the Minister of Peoples Republic of China and 1 Million School Shoes Campaign representatives to handover 1300 pairs of schools shoes.

This initiative is held aptly on Youth Month, to acknowledge and provide aid to the future of this country, the learners of the Free State.

1 Million Schools Shoes Campaign was founded in 2015. Thus far, about 200 000 school shoes have been donated through the campaign. The NPO relies on donors to carry their work forward.

Minister of the Embassy of Peoples Republic of China, Zhou Maoyi, extended his warmest wishes to all learners receiving the school shoes and hoped they would assist them in taking confident steps towards their education. "Investing in children means investing in the future, he said".
He emphasized on the ties that Free State and the Peoples Republic of China have, which have been founded from grassroots levels and continues to flourish, hence the support they provided to 19 schools across Masilonyana and Matjhabeng Municipalities through the 1 Million Schools Shoes Campaign.

MEC Maboya, expressing her appreciation said "The participation of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China is particularly significant. South Africa and China share a longstanding relationship grounded in mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation. Beyond diplomatic relations, our partnership increasingly finds expression in practical initiatives that support human development,
education, infrastructure and economic growth. Today's programme demonstrates how international cooperation can produce tangible benefits at community level".

12/06/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT

To: All Media Houses

Date: 11 June 2026

For Immediate Release

Free State Education MEC to join School Shoes Handover Programme Benefiting 1 300 Learners Across 19 Schools

Bloemfontein - the Free State MEC for Education, Dr Mamiki Maboya, will on Saturday, 13 June 2026, join education stakeholders, municipal leaders, community representatives and international partners at the handover of 1 300 pairs of school shoes to vulnerable learners from 19 schools across the Matjhabeng and Masilonyana Local Municipalities. The handover programme, organized by
NPO as part of its Winter Campaign, is aimed at supporting learners from disadvantaged communities by addressing one of the common barriers that negatively affect school attendance, learner confidence and participation in education.

The initiative has been made possible through the support of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Pretoria, which has partnered with to provide the school shoes to deserving learners in the Free State. The programme will bring together representatives of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, led by Minister Zhou Maoyi, local government leadership, education stakeholders and community members in a demonstration of the important role that partnerships play in advancing educational development and learner wellbeing.

MEC Maboya will deliver a keynote address reflecting on the importance of collaborative partnerships in supporting quality education and ensuring that learners are afforded the dignity and opportunities necessary to succeed academically.

The MEC is expected to reaffirm the Department's view that education is a shared societal responsibility that requires the active participation of government, communities, civil society organisations and development partners. The Free State Department of Education welcomes initiatives that complement government efforts to improve learner welfare and educational outcomes, particularly in communities facing socio-economic challenges. Access to basic school necessities remains an important contributor to learner attendance, retention and overall educational success.

The Department further commends and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China for their commitment to investing in the wellbeing of learners and supporting the broader goal of building stronger and more resilient communities through education.

The handover programme serves as a reminder that meaningful partnerships can make a tangible difference in the lives of learners and contribute towards the creation of an enabling environment for teaching and learning. The Free State Department of Education remains committed to working with all sectors of society to remove barriers to learning and to ensure that every learner is afforded the opportunity to realize their full potential.

Issued by the Free State Department of Education

For media enquiries, kindly contact:

Media and Parliamentary Liaison Officer: Sibusiso Majola – 071 983 8233

Head of Communications: Howard Ndaba – 079 503 5485

End

11/06/2026

Alert ⚠️

Please be aware of fake certificates being issued for registration of Early Childhood Care and Education Centres!
An authentic certificate has an EMIS number, the name of the program written on it and is not referred to as Child Day Care Centre.

11/06/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT

TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES

Date: 11 June 2026

For Immediate Release

Free State Education Condemns Brutal Assault On Student Teachers, Deploys Psychosocial Support

The Free State Department of Education unequivocally condemns the brutal assault of four female student teachers near Lekhulong Secondary School in Rocklands, Bloemfontein.

The attack, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, occurred while University of the Free State student teachers were on a scheduled break during in-service training.

The four young women were assaulted by a male individual and members of his family moments after purchasing food at a nearby spaza shop.

Due to safety concerns, the affected student teachers have requested immediate withdrawal from the school. The Department has approved this request without delay.

MEC for Education, Dr Mamiki Maboya, said:
"I am disgusted by this cowardly, criminal attack on our young female educators.

This is a direct affront to our collective fight to eradicate gender-based violence and femicide, GBVF.

Our student teachers enter classrooms to build futures and shape minds, not to fear for their lives or endure violence. Let me be unequivocal:

We will not tolerate, excuse, or normalise any form of violence against educators, period.

I salute these brave young women for their courage in reporting this matter to SAPS.

I now call on every parent, community leader, and citizen to become guardians of our teachers.

Protect them. Respect them. Defend them.

Stand up against GBVF in your streets, homes, and schools.”

The Department’s Employee Health and Wellness Unit has been activated to provide immediate trauma counselling to the four and the five remaining UFS student teachers at Lekhulong Secondary School.

The department is calling on
all schools in the Free State to urgently audit and strengthen safety protocols for both teachers and learners.

No educator should teach in fear.

We welcome Kagisanong Police’s swift action in opening a case of common assault.

The Department will work closely with SAPS to ensure the perpetrators face the full might of the law.

The Department urges the public and learners to remain calm and allow police investigations to proceed without interference.

Violence against any educator is an attack on education itself.

Further updates will be issued as the investigation progresses.

Issued by: Free State Department of Education

Enquiries:
Howard Ndaba – 079 503 5485
Sibusiso Majola – 071 983 8233

ENDS

11/06/2026

The department continues it's commitment to free, quality education for all learners irrespective of their background and location!
The department is grateful that the Edgar Legoale Foundation responded promptly and went on to support almost 200 maths literacy learners at Thabang Secondary school with calculators that would enable every learner would to pass mathematical literacy.

11/06/2026

Nominations open for the Mininster's Special Award!
Nomination form is included in the link.

Participating is easy; all you must do is tell us–via a short essay and video–about a teacher who has made a lasting, positive impact on your life; someone who has gone above and beyond their duties!

Minister's Special Awards

10/06/2026

MEC for Education, Dr. MJ Maboya and Fezile Dabi District Director, Dr. VH Chuta handed over 200 calculators to Grade 12 learners at Thabang Secondary School in Viljoenskroon, today.

The initiative is in support of learners studying mathematics literacy. With the May/June examinations underway, learners are already being equipped with the necessary tools for their successful exit at the end of the academic year!
Empowering learners to count, calculate and conquer!

07/06/2026

Saturday [06/06/2026] The Department hosted the SASCE folklore provincial competition.

Congratulations are in order for Selegiloe Primary School, which showcased Isiswati Culture, and Phehellang Secondary School, which represented Setswana Culture. Notably, both schools are from the Fezile Dabi Education District.

We look forward to seeing them at the national championships. Here are pictures of the festivities.

06/06/2026

**MEDIA STATEMENT*

To: All Media Houses

Date: 06 June 2026

For Immediate Release

*FREE STATE EDUCATION OUTRAGED OVER ALLEGED ASSAULT OF VULNERABLE LEARNER AT THIBOLOHA SCHOOL, INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED*

*Bloemfontein* - The Free State Department of Education condemns in the strongest possible terms the alleged brutal assault of an 18-year-old girl learner at Thiboloha School for the Deaf and Blind in QwaQwa, Thabo Mofutsanyana District. According to initial reports, the incident allegedly occurred on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, between 16:20 and 17:00 and involved a member of staff. The school has confirmed that two house parents on duty and a teacher witnessed the alleged assault. The learner received an immediate medical evaluation at the school clinic.

The Department acted decisively. The matter was formally referred for investigation to the Labour Relations Division through the Circuit Manager's Office on Thursday, 4 June 2026. All witness statements from the two-house parents and the teacher are being collected and documented, and the school clinic's medical assessment has been secured to form part of the investigation. The learner's parent has been fully briefed on her rights, including the right to lay criminal charges with the South African Police Service.

We can confirm that a criminal case has been opened with SAPS, and both the school and the Department will cooperate fully with the investigation. Psychosocial support has been activated immediately. A professional counselling team will be deployed to Thiboloha School to provide trauma counselling and ongoing support to the affected learner upon her return to school. A safeguarding review meeting will also be convened to assess the learner's welfare and ensure that all necessary protection measures are in place.

Free State Education MEC, Dr MJ Maboya, expressed deep indignation and condemned the incident in the strongest terms, stating:

"I am profoundly distressed by allegations of violence against one of our most vulnerable learners. Thiboloha School exists to protect, nurture and educate children with special needs, not to harm them. We will leave no stone unturned. A full investigation is underway, and decisive action will be taken against anyone found responsible. To the learner and her family: the Department stands with you. Your dignity, safety and healing are our immediate priorities. Let this serve as a clear warning: the Free State Department of Education has zero tolerance for any form of violence or abuse in our schools."

The Department reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all learners, especially learners with special needs. We urge anyone with information to come forward and cooperate fully with the investigation.

*Issued by the Free State Department of Education*

For media enquiries, kindly contact:

Media and Parliamentary Liaison Officer: *Sibusiso Majola* – 071 983 8233
Head of Communications: *Howard Ndaba* – 079 503 5485

End

06/06/2026

WINDOWS OF HOPE - Hope for Viljoenskroon Farm Learners.

MEC Dr Mamiki Maboya visited Windows of Hope, currently a pre-primary, primary and co-educational facility established in 2013 under the guardianship of the Hospice Association of Viljoenskroon.

This facility has been identified to house over 160 farm learners from farm areas around the small town! This is a milestone for the Department in a town where many learners struggled to attend school due to transport accessibility.

The facility has been used by the Department previously to host Matric Camps and as a registered examination centre, it has been an asset. It is currently an Independent primary school, with 64 learners.

The MEC went in the flesh to see where her farm learners will be moved to and was excited for what this means for their future. "Walking around this centre I can already see my learners being happy, safe and receiving the education that they deserve" the MEC said. "We mean it when we say, we will leave no child behind".

We look forward to the finalization of the registration of this facility to house our learners so they can start their journey as soon as possible!

Free State Education, leaving no child behind.