Principal chases north learners from school

The Gauteng Department of Education has admitted that the Principal of Madisong Secondary School was wrong to chase learners away from the school recently.

It was alleged that the principal denied learners who did not bring “a ream of paper” to school.

DA Gauteng spokesperson on Education Nkele Molapo condemned the principal.

“It is totally unacceptable for learners to be denied access to learning because their parents cannot afford to buy a ream of paper,” said Molapo.

Molapo said the DA will ask the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate the matter and the Provincial Legislature why the learners were told to bring paper.

“In addition, the department must give clarity on the money allocated for Learner Teacher Support Material (LTSM) at the school this year,” said Molapo.

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“The school is a no-fee school which means that the government is financing almost all the necessities needed at the school.”

She added that the no-fee school policy was implemented to bridge the inequalities in the South African education system to ensure that all are afforded quality education.

“Access to basic education is the fundamental right as enshrined by the Constitution. Any deliberate attempts to infringe on this right, should be resisted and those implicated, held accountable,” she said.

Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said it was unacceptable to chase any learner away from school.

“We have dispatched a team to the school to conduct necessary investigation into circumstances surrounding this matter. It is indeed regrettable and [the department] wishes to apologise to all affected parents accordingly,” said Mabona.

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