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Eastern Cape learners go hungry after court freezes school funds

Published

2 weeks ago

August 15, 2025

Chiraag

Eastern Cape learners, St Teresa Secondary School, School Nutrition Programme suspension, court freezes school account, Joe Gqabi District, South African education crisis, hungry schoolchildren, Joburg ETC

For learners at St Teresa Secondary School in the Joe Gqabi District, the start of the day is no longer marked by the smell of a warm breakfast. Instead, many arrive in class on empty stomachs after the School Nutrition Programme (SNP) was brought to an abrupt halt.

How a contract dispute stopped school meals

According to the Eastern Cape Department of Education, the disruption began when the school signed a contract with a printing company without notifying its district office. The arrangement turned sour when the school reportedly failed to meet its contractual obligations.

The service provider took the matter to court, which responded by freezing the school’s bank account pending the outcome of the legal process. Department spokesperson Vuyiseka Mboxela confirmed the account holds R2.1 million, but the school also owes the company R450,000.

“This means there are funds available for the SNP, but due to the account being frozen, the school cannot access them,” said Mboxela.

Why the freeze has wider consequences

The School Nutrition Programme is not a luxury for many South African learners. It is often the most reliable source of daily nutrition. In rural districts like Joe Gqabi, meals provided at school can directly affect attendance, concentration, and exam performance. The Department of Basic Education notes that consistent access to school meals improves punctuality, regular school attendance, concentration, and the general well-being of learners.

With the account frozen, the school is unable to pay for not only the nutrition programme but also learning and teaching support materials (LTSM) and other essentials.

The Department’s next steps

The Eastern Cape Department of Education says it is now seeking legal advice on the matter. “We understand that it is unlawful to attach the account of any school, particularly where such funds are intended for critical functions like SNP, LTSM, and other essential needs,” said Mboxela.

The Department has urged all schools in the province to avoid signing contracts with service providers without the knowledge and oversight of their district offices.

For now, the learners of St Teresa Secondary are caught in the middle, waiting for the legal process to resolve so that the food they depend on can return to their school tables.