Education department vindicates Everest Academy
According to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), the school is fully registered and compliant.
Everest Academy, a private school based on the North of Tshwane, has been found to be fully compliant after parents alleged the contrary in 2022.
After certain parents raised concerns regarding its legitimacy and academic standards, the Department confirmed that an investigation was underway.
At the time, concerns had been raised regarding the scope of the school’s registration after a move, and whether it was authorised to offer certain grades. The school’s website had previously reflected grades 0 to 12, but principal Elizabeth Jacobs denied that the school offered Grade 12 classes, and the website now reflects accordingly. She also denied allegations of academic irregularities.
In an affidavit presented to the South African police service, a former student alleged that senior pupils had been tasked with teaching and disciplining younger pupils. The principal’s denial of this allegation has since been followed by the GDE declaring the allegations as “unfounded.”
In a recent statement issued to Rekord upon request, the department further confirmed that:
- The school’s registration was valid while operating from its previous address;
- The relocation to new premises was approved prior to operation;
- The school holds a valid EMIS registration certificate signed by the Head of Department;
- Independent schools are not obliged to have a governing body but may operate under a board structurem which requirement the school meets;
- The school remains registered and compliant.
The Department stated that it continues to monitor the school and will provide support where necessary.
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- This article has been amended upon Rekord’s receiving information related to the GDE investigation outcome and the withdrawal of the SAPS case. Accordingly, the previous version has been retracted and its gist repeated above for context.
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