False report: Marais Viljoen High School and Alberton Matric Project

IT is with great concern and disappointment that the news report on eNCA and KYKNET was viewed.

In the light of these untruths being repeated without any verification or checking of facts, the purpose of this statement is to present Marais Viljoen High School’s (MVHS) position on the news report.

In the light of these false reports MVHS reserves all rights and is considering to report this matter to the Independent Broadcasting Commission (IBC).

Firstly, the statement that Marais Viljoen was approached for comment is totally untrue. The chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB) and/or principal of the school are the only authorised individuals to comment. Neither was approached at any stage, making the statement devoid of any truth. It is standard practice and requirement of the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) that only the chairperson of the school governing body (SGB), and/or principal, and or duly appointed person, is allowed to speak to the media.

Secondly the Alberton Matric Project (AMP) has the main aim to provide an opportunity to learners who dropped prematurely out of the system or who failed matric previously, to obtain, on a part-time basis (so-called night school) a matric qualification.

Also Read: No results are forthcoming

What is extremely important to note is that there is absolutely no link between Marais Viljoen High School and the Alberton Matric Project.

Marais Viljoen High School provided, as a token of goodwill, facilities and limited academic support. This was and is being done with the consent of the GDE, who have been involved in this project since its inception in 2012. Marais Viljoen High School saw this support purely as a social responsibility to the community, and to learners from all walks of life and the various schools in the area.

The following facts need to be taken cognisance of:

1. AMP operates under its own management structure.

2. AMP operates with its own exam number (thus registered with the GDE).

3. AMP paid an amount towards rent to use the facilities of MVHS.

4. AMP reports directly under the authority of the GDE and has no reporting line to the school, SGB or principal.

5. AMP was introduced and implemented by the GDE during 2012 and not by any initiative of MVHS.

Also note that MVHS received a 100 per cent matric pass rate and all learners of MVHS received their results as prescribed by the GDE on time.

MVHS distances itself in all aspects from any activities or conduct of the AMP and does not take responsibility for the alleged late release of the AMP results.

Any reference to MVHS in this regard is incorrect and devoid of any truth or facts.

The SGB and principal of MVHS demand that the erroneous report be retracted and rectified on all web-based news pages (Afrikaans and English) as well as an insert in the 19:00 eTV news tonight (Monday, February 20) where the correct facts are stated. The SGB also wants to point out that any further comments or information has to come from the GDE or AMP.

These reports have done serious damage to the integrity, good name and standing of the learners, teachers and parents of Marais Viljoen High School in the community.

The school has served Alberton for more than 50 years and does not deserve to be the victim of unsubstantiated, slanderous reports on national TV and has the right to protect the good name of the school and all who are associated with the school.

As stated above the SGB and principal reserve all rights regarding any other legal or civil remedial action.

Mr Philip Herbst, SGB chairman, Marais Viljoen High School

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