TZANEEN: EFF calls for fees to fall in public schools
The Economic Freedom Fighters Party (EFF) in the Mopani Sub-region says 'Fees Must Fall' and schools should stop with holding learners' reports if they fail to pay their fees.
This transpired after some learners from Magoza Secondary School, Charles Mathosi Secondary School and Banana Junior Primary School were apparently told that they won’t receive their final exams results, because they did not pay fundraising money which was required by the school during the 2018 school term.
As a result the political party’s members together with some of the affected parents and community members marched to the Nkowankowa Circuit offices last Thursday, where they handed over their memorandum.
The memo was received by Case Ngobeni and they were told that the department would respond back to them within 14 working days.
“Our biggest concern here is the witholding of Grade 12 learners results statements, the money of some students has accumulated to about R500 and they don’t have the money to pay.
Also read: TZANEEN: March against ‘bad health services’
“So this suggests that the money is important than a learner being enrolled into university,’ explained Heath Ndlovu, EFF Mopani Sub-region member.
Ndlovu also expressed that anyone should be given the freedom to choose wether they want to pay or not pay the fundraising money, as it is not a must to do so but a matter of wanting to do so.
During the march some teachers in the circuits blocked the marchers from going to Magoza and Banana for protests, however the party says they will continue fighting for the rights of the voiceless.
The march was not in vain as some of the learners were given their statements and reports when they went back to their schools.
The provincial Department of Education says they don’t have a problem with people exercising their right to protest and will at a later stage respond.
“The right to protest is enshrined in the constitution.
As the department, we are yet to study their memorandum to understand their issues afterwhich we shall plot a way forward in as far as each issue is concerned,” explained Sam Makondo, Spokesman of the Limpopo Department of Education.
At the time of going to press there was still no response yet from the department.
