‘I WANT TO BE IN CLASS’
Teen can’t find a school
ALL Leshe Meyers wants, is to be in school.
But since schools opened in January, the 16-year-old has been languishing at home because she cannot find a school in Florida, west Johannesburg, and surrounding areas.
Leshe’s woes started when her family tragically lost their home in Eldorado Park, south Johannesburg, and had to start a new life in Florida.
She passed Grade 10 at Kliptown High School last year, and was supposed to start Grade 11. Leshe told Sowetan she received a transfer letter from Kliptown High and went to Florida Park High in December and was told to come back in January.
She went back to Florida Park High on January 16, two days before schools opened, and was put on a waiting list.
She was told to come back after a week. When she went back after a week, the school informed her there was no space and that she had to go to the district office.
She has had no joy at the district office where she was told that there was no space for grades 10, 11 and 12 pupils in all schools in the area.
“I’ve been hoping and praying that I get into a school as soon as possible,” said Leshe.
She said her dream is to become a gynaecologist.
“I will do everything to be in school. It’s really tough being at home. It breaks my heart when I chat with friends who are in school.”
Leshe’s grandmother, Jennifer Meyers, said she and her husband raised Leshe and were in the process of rebuilding the family home.
She said they had recently found employment and could not afford to take their granddaughter to a private school.
“I can move mountains for that child to get a school. She is very fragile and emotional these days. It breaks my heart,” said Meyers.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said the family might have failed to disclose the circumstances that led to their move.
He said part of the conditions of admitting a pupil was their personal circumstances. Lesufi and his head of department, Edward Mosuwe, said they would follow up with the district and the school.