The system has failed Franklin D Roosevelt Primary School.

These are the sentiments of a parent left in dismay by the reinstatement of a principal some have described as corrupt. Current chairperson of the school governing body (SGB) Fagmoedien Otto said allegations of mismanagement and potential misappropriation of school funds, authorising loans from school finances to teachers without SGB approval, abuse of power and intimidation of staff, unfair dismissal of educators that resulted in CCMA rulings and payouts, bypassing the SGB and appointing an unqualified service provider to construct school ramps – a provider operating primarily as a nail/hair salon, as well as extorting money from a teacher in promise of employment were all brought against principal Victor Matloga about four years ago by the then SGB. “The previous SGB gave the Gauteng department of education (GDE) a file with all these charges, but they only chose one – the extortion.”

The matter was taken to the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), where arguments were given and a witness needed to appear, however they never did. “The witness said they received threats and was fearful. On this basis, the department lost the case. The principal won and the order read that he must be returned to his employer – which is the department, not the school.”

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Following this, the case then went for review at the ELRC. Otto claims the attorneys appointed by the GDE filed the review too late, and didn’t apply for condonation. They also served Matloga’s attorney months late too. When the matter was eventually at the council, it was dismissed due to technicalities. “The court could not even listen to merits of the extortion case.”

This is the base of the SGB’s argument, that the GDE lost the case, then only informed the body two months after the fact which cancelled the option for an appeal. “We now sit with a principal who was not exonerated of charges of extortion, as the court never listened to those charges. They only spoke to the procedure, which was wrong, and led to the case being dismissed. So, we don’t even know if he is innocent of what he has been charged with.”

Parent Florence Gondo says she is worried about the principal being back at school, just on a technicality. “Even if these are just allegations, where there is smoke, there is fire.”

She is very confused as to why the GDE would bring the principal back to the school. “I am worried about the safety of my child, because the message here is that he can do whatever he wants and can get away with it.”

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For Gondo, his reinstatement begs the question, how will he manage the school after he mismanaged it before? “I am just concerned they have given him the power to do whatever he wants. The system has failed us parents.”

Otto expressed the growing and painful perception among parents that the department has treated Franklin D Roosevelt Primary School as an unwanted child – neglected, unsupported, and excluded from the standards of care and oversight afforded to other schools. He added that the SGB is expected to comply with GDE policies, yet their concerns are dismissed. “Our school community is ignored, and our children are left to bear the consequences of administrative failure.”

He says SGB’s of any school have power – power he says the GDE is forgetting. According to the department of basic education website, of the many roles of an SGB, some of those are decisions on school policy, which should include, amongst others, finance. This body also administers and controls the property of the school, buildings, and grounds.

Fellow parent Nicole Padayachee chose to bring her child to Franklin D Roosevelt after she was told by community members it was a good school. “That settled my anxiety, so I put my child in here,” but now that anxiety has piqued her concern as to who is she leaving her child under the leadership of. “A principal who I do not know is rehabilitated or not.” She says the school has some great teachers, but how do they work with someone who is not leading well?

Spokesperson for the GDE Steve Mabona said the principal was found guilty, however that outcome did not warrant dismissal. “Accordingly, he appealed the guilty verdict, and, as such, he was exonerated at arbitration, consequently there is no questionable conduct on his part.” An outcome the department respected.

Ultimately, the SGB believes the learners, staff, and parents of the school deserve better. Otto said they deserve leadership that reflects the values of honesty, accountability, and educational excellence. “Most of all, a GDE that pushes for these needs – not one that overlooks them until it is too late.”

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