School demands R7m for unplaced pupils
Principal needs department OK
The future of 162 unplaced pupils in Gauteng remains uncertain after a school they were meant to be accommodated at allegedly demanded approval of a budget of R7m to take them in.
According to parents, President High School in Ridgeway, south of Johannesburg, told them during a meeting that the school needed the money to build six or seven extra classrooms to accommodate the pupils.
The unplaced pupils have not been to school or getting study material since March when the country went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak. They were, however, meant to go back to school on Wednesday after the Gauteng department of education ordered that they be accommodated at President High.
However, the parents had been asked to be patient as arrangements were being made for their children to return to class.
President High principal Andre Ferreira said there were challenges which he hoped would be sorted out by Monday. He couldn’t comment further as he is not allowed to speak to the media.
Mandla Xaba, a parent of grade 9 pupil, said the latest delay was an additional rollercoaster for their children. “Last week everything seemed to be fine, but during our meeting the principal said the department had not yet approved the R7m budget to build about six or seven classes.
“That is all the school is waiting for – a confirmation from the department because they said they don’t have a problem taking the children as they will rotate classes,” Xaba said.
Xaba said they felt that the department was playing dice with their children’s future.
“Our children were excited to finally go back to school, but their dreams have been dashed. I am now forced to drive with my son to work because he can’t just sit at home doing nothing. This is truly depressing and we are worried about their future,” Xaba said.
Another parent, Sethu Krakra, said the principal told them he feared the money could be part of the next financial year as the department’s letter did not specify when money would be available.
“The principal is only prepared to take our children when he gets confirmation from the department. Now we have to go and tell the other parents the bad news. Meanwhile, our children will continue staying at home.”
The parents said they were giving the department until today to sort out the space issue for their children. They also threatened to approach the courts.
Two weeks ago, Sowetan reported that the parents had written a letter of demand to the department and threatened to take legal action if their children were not placed in schools in the south of Johannesburg.
Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said: “Due to Covid-19 impact on the schooling sector and the need for maintaining 1.5-metre social distancing, the schools had to determine the best way of accommodating learners. Thus schools could opt for learners to attend on alternate days, weeks or introduce other shifts models like platooning.
“These methods will ensure that all learners are accommodated in schools as a means of ensuring that the 2020 academic year is saved.”
He said the head of department sent correspondence to President High School acknowledging and supporting its budgetary requirements and the department had commenced with the process which involved external stakeholders to assist the school with necessary funding so as to be in a position to expand classes and accommodate more pupils.