Great Foundation not registered with GDE

Allegations against the Great Foundation Primary School in Selcourt have been brought to the Addie’s attention regarding the registration of the school, qualifications of the teaching staff, disciplinary procedures not being followed and the treatment of the staff and learners at the school.

Concerned parents approached the Springs Advertiser and said they were worried the school is not registered.

“I’m really worried about my daughter and if this is all true, I’d have to get her into another school,” says one parent.*

It appears that parents are right to be concerned as the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has confirmed the school is not registered.

“Great Foundation is not registered as an independent school with the department,” says Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the GDE.

When questioned about this both the school’s principal, Jessica Wade, and the head of department (HOD), Shireen Watson, admitted the school is not registered.

Watson, in a telephonic conversation with the Addie, says parents were informed the school was not registered and that there is a notice up in reception saying the same thing.

However, when the Addie visited the school, there was no visible notice up and no notice is given on the school’s website either.

Wade, in an email, changed the school’s position and says: “Any parent who has asked about the registration of the school, I have disclosed the full situation with the parent concerned and advised them that it is their choice to continue to enrolment.”

Parents deny the school informed them of their registration status and asked why they would put their children’s education at risk by sending them to an unregistered school.

Upon learning about the school, the GDE went on to say they will take necessary action to ensure the school ceases operations and provides assistance to ensure affected learners are placed in public schools.

In response to the department’s proposed actions, Wade says: “We have not received any correspondence of this nature (the GDE closing the school down) and we have been in constant communication with the department regarding the registration of the school.

“Due process, as required by the department, has been followed in this regard.

“I understand this is unacceptable, and in light of this email, I have instructed SA Childcare (an agency that helps schools with the registration process) to finalise the registration with the department, as I have realised that some things I just cannot do by myself and need the right people for the job.”

Wade claims 80 per cent of the school’s learners were referred to them by the GDE, who are aware they are battling with the registration process.

However, in the Addie’s correspondence with the GDE, the department said they were not even aware of the school’s existence.

“The Great Foundation School is not in our Master list of registered schools.

“The above allegations are unfounded, therefore the said school is incorrect to assume that it is known by the Department.

“As previously stated, the process is underway to ensure that this school ceases its operations and that affected learners are subsequently placed in public schools,” says Mabona after he was questioned about Wade’s claim, in writing to the Addie, that 80 per cent of the school’s l;earners were referred by the department.

When asked if the school will refund parents whose children have been inconvenienced by the school’s lack of registration if the GDE closes it, Wade says: “Children will be assessed according to their abilities should they require a new school.

“However, more importantly are all the staff who will now be unemployed and without an income due to the school being closed down.”

The GDE made it clear that regardless of the school’s position in the registration process, current legislation does not allow independent schools to operate without being registered with the provincial Department of Education.

Qualifications

Questions around the qualifications of the teaching staff were also questioned by sources who claimed some of the teachers are not qualified to teach in South Africa.

It is alleged that some of the teachers, including the principal, have only completed a Teaching English Foreign Language (TEFL) course through an Australian outfit.

The principal vehemently denies this and says these allegations are untrue and unfounded.

She comments that most of their teachers are qualified, with two currently studying to obtain the qualification required by the GDE, and adds all the teachers have the required South African Council for Educators (SACE) numbers.

“Unqualified teachers are allowed to teach while they complete their studies and have a temporary SACE number, which is the procedure in all schools.

“During our interview process, we require teachers to produce their SACE numbers and if they are still studying, we require proof of registration and academic history.

“Parent trust that their children will be educated while at school and therefore we are strict on our company policies and procedures,” Wade says.

When asked for proof of qualifications, Wade commented her staff are entitled to their privacy.

Disciplinary procedures

Sources alleged proper disciplinary procedures are not followed when there is a disagreement between the principal and staff.

Wade says: “There were only two occasions where staff were brought before a disciplinary hearing and in both cases, these employees were treated 100 per cent according to the provisions of the Labour Relations Act as well as the basic Conditions of Employment Act.

“Not in a single instance was a matter referred to the Department of Labour or to the CCMA for recourse, thus this allegation is untrue.”

The school’s working environment was described by a former teacher as the worst she’s ever experienced.

“It sucked the life out of me and made me feel worthless,” says the teacher.

A parent who is concerned about the culture of the school says her child had three Grade One teachers in the last three terms.

Wade disagrees and says according to the employees who are currently employed by the school, it was a positive environment to work in.

As for the school’s high turnover rate, Wade denies this and says: “The school has dismissed only two teachers during the past year.

“It is common knowledge that teachers are always looking for better paying positions and very often a young school that is still building up a name and going through all the processes of registration is used as a stepping stone for better positions or better paying positions.”

* The names of the complainants have been withheld to protect teachers and the children of the parents who spoke to us.

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