By Emily Setona
QWAQWA – Sekgutlong Secondary School has dismissed claims that it is asking parents to buy food for learners despite being a Quintile 1 school with a government feeding scheme, saying the allegations are misleading and taken out of context.
The concerns were raised by an anonymous parent who alleged that the school, which has long provided meals through the National School Nutrition Programme, is now shifting that responsibility to parents.
The claims sparked questions about the management of the feeding scheme.
However, in interviews with The Guard, the school principal and members of the School Governing Body (SGB) strongly denied the allegations, clarifying that parental contributions are linked to a newly introduced hostel support project for the Grade 12 class of 2026, and not to the school’s feeding scheme.
SGB member Dimakatso Mofokeng said the initiative was proposed late last year by principal Paulina Nhlapho after she identified the need for additional academic support for matric learners from Monontsha, a rural community.
Mofokeng explained that the proposal involves accommodating the 2026 matric class in the school hostel during the academic year to allow for extended tutoring, closer supervision and a stable learning environment.
“Parents were called to a meeting with the principal and the SGB, and they agreed to support this project so that their children can stay at the hostel during their matric year,” Mofokeng said.
She emphasized that the school’s feeding scheme remains fully operational.
“Learners continue to receive breakfast and lunch at school as usual,” she said.
According to Mofokeng, parental contributions are meant to cover food for learners after school hours, when hostel residents require supper and basic provisions.
“During school hours, the feeding scheme provides meals. But after school the cooking staff goes home, so parents are asked to contribute food and vegetables they can afford for their children staying at the hostel,” she explained.
Mofokeng added that all parents who attended the meeting signed their consent and agreed to the arrangement.
Principal Nhlapho said the initiative was driven by her close ties to the community and concern about learners’ academic performance and future opportunities.
“As a long-time resident of Monontsha and the new principal of Sekgutlong, I realized that learners from this rural area need extra support so that their matric results can improve and they can access opportunities such as university, and eventually come back to uplift the community,” she said.
Nhlapho said the project is designed to provide structured tutoring, homework supervision and discipline, particularly over weekends.
