GDE to close bogus school in Moreleta Park
Earlier in October residents raised concerns about a bogus school operating at the illegally occupied 17-hectare property dubbed as the “White House”.
The Gauteng Education Department (GDE) plans to conduct a follow-up visit, along with law enforcement agencies, to a school running its operations illegally in Moreleta Park.
Officials will look to close the educational centre from operating illegally.
Earlier in October residents in Moreleta Park had raised concerns about a bogus school operating at the illegally occupied 17-hectare property dubbed the “White House”.
The school on Wekker and Brabham streets was found to be unregistered and not properly zoned. This in turn sparked outcry.
Teaching and learning are said to be taking place outside a dilapidated building in an area without any Occupational Health and Safety compliance.
GDE first inspected the school in October and said it was illegal and not registered with the Department of Education.
According to the department, the school does not comply with any registration requirement and has no document, such as a zoning certificate, health certificate and others.”
The school is operating illegally with owners of the property currently seeking legal recourse to take back their land.
GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona said the department can confirm that the said school is illegal and a closure letter was issued.
“A follow-up visit will be conducted in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to enforce compliance to ensure that the school in question is closed down.”
He added that the department had visited the school before and issued a letter of closure.
“Accordingly, we will ensure that all learners of school-going age are placed in public and registered independent schools in the area,” Mabona said.
He warned the owners that operating the school further might land them in trouble with the law.
“Parents and community members are advised to demand EMIS letters when they are seeking admission to independent schools to ascertain that these are legitimate schools.”
Mabona said for a school to be legal it entails making an application a year preceding operation and complying with all registration requirements and documents, such as zoning certificates, health certificates and others.
“After thorough assessments, the department issues a school with an EMIS certificate that entails the name of the school, address and an EMIS number.”
He added that if a school does not have an EMIS certificate that corresponds with the address where a school is situated, then, parents must know that it is an illegally operating school.
Mabona said GDE is working tirelessly to tighten the administration of the admissions process to accommodate all learners in Gauteng.
Deirdré van Helsdingen representing the “White House” property owners said despite the GDE instructing the school to close down, the school continues to operate.
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