The Eastern Cape Department of Education has strongly condemned reports that learners are being denied access to classes at Buffalo City Metro Inner High School in Southernwood amid an ongoing electricity dispute. Pearce said they were also waiting for officials from the Eastern Cape Department of Education, which had allegedly undertaken to settle the outstanding electricity bill so teaching and learning could continue. In response, Department of Education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima confirmed that the department had already made payment arrangements with the municipality to address the school's electricity debt. Meanwhile, another parent, Santjie Botha, said her foster children, who are exempt from paying school fees, were also affected. Mtima, however, said schools must follow the prescribed legal processes to recover outstanding school fees and that learners' right to basic education should not be compromised.