Birch Acres school still operating illegally despite first warning by GDE
“According to Regulation 308, the owner of an illegally operating school is afforded 30 days to comply.”
The Kempton Express published an article on September 26 highlighting allegations that Domus Academy in Birchleigh was operating illegally despite orders to cease activities.
Kempton Park resident Mary Smith* shared concerns, saying the academy is actively enrolling students for 2025.
“I passed by the academy and saw they are still operating and taking in enrolments for 2025. How is that possible?” said Smith.
Smith’s son, a Grade 12 learner at Domus Academy in 2023, was prevented from sitting for his matric preliminary and final exams because neither he nor the school were registered.
ALSO READ:“Domus Academy operating illegally” – GDE
“When I contacted Umalusi [the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training], where the learners were supposed to be registered, they confirmed that the school wasn’t registered,” Smith said.
She added that her son was meant to be registered with Alpha but was reportedly de-registered because the academy failed to make payments.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirmed that Domus Academy operated illegally, with spokesperson Steve Mabona saying the department had served the school with a letter of closure.
“The school was mandated to shut down within 30 days of receipt.”
Mabona said the department was unaware of the academy’s ongoing enrolments.
ALSO READ: Know more about the local shelter helping homeless people
The notice to cease operations was served to the academy on December 6 last year.
Mabona explained that the decision to close the school followed thorough investigations.
Although the academy has not yet obtained accreditation, the GDE advised it to apply for proper registration.
“According to Regulation 308, the owner of an illegally operating school is given 30 days to comply,” Mabona stated.
To prevent further issues with unregistered schools, the department implemented the 4A Plan – a proactive strategy preventing communities, especially in hotspots, from enrolling students in unregistered institutions.
“We will work with communities and community structures through preventative campaigns to mobilise them against illegal schools,” Mabona said.
He noted that such schools complicate the department’s ability to account for learners’ education despite its efforts to educate parents about the risks.
In response to the shutdown, the GDE is working to place the affected learners in nearby public schools, though finding available spaces has been challenging, contributing to delays.
It is committed to getting all the affected learners into appropriate schools and will continue to ensure compliance with the education regulations.
