Latest school disruption lambasted
On Monday, academic activities were unable to commence at a primary school in the north of Pretoria due to demonstrative action which disgruntled parents embarked on over the placement of their children.
The DA has slammed the latest disruption to schooling in the north of Pretoria over the placement of learners as “unacceptable”.
“While we understand the frustration with the delayed placing of learners, it is unacceptable that teaching should be disrupted,” said Thaba Mogale constituency head Adriana Randall.
Randall described the disruption as “extremely concerning” and “a blatant disregard for the constitution that protects a child’s right to basic education”.
Schooling at Laerskool Danie Malan in Pretoria North was unable to continue due to a shutdown staged by a group of disgruntled parents on Monday morning.
Some of the parents, who spoke to Rekord, explained that all they wanted was for their children to be admitted into schools in the north of Pretoria – where they reside – instead of neighbouring communities.
Parents, their children and staff arrived to find chains and locks placed on the school’s gates which prevented them from gaining entry into the school.
It was the third demonstrative action since the reopening of schools last month.
Schools that were previously affected, included Hoërskool Akasia, Hoërskool Gerrit Maritz and Pretoria Noord Hoërskool.
READ MORE: Tempers flare at north school placement protest
Since the demonstration, Randall said she had submitted written questions to education MEC Panyaza Lesufi about the situation at the schools.
The questions were aimed at finding out how many learners remained unplaced as well as how many additional learners could be accommodated at schools in the area along with whether he had engaged with parents in the matter.
“The DA has already called on the MEC to urgently place all learners who have not been allocated a school to ensure that learning and teaching resume for the academic year,” she said.
However, education department spokesperson Steve Mabona said all learners in the area had been placed.
“We have placed all learners in the area. It is not true that there are some unplaced learners, especially in the Pretoria North area.
“It is unfortunate to find ourselves in such unwarranted [and] disruptive situations,” he said.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
