The Gauteng MEC for Education, MEC Panyaza Lesufi, visited Kiddieshaven Early Childhood Education Centre in Edenvale this morning after he received complaints via Twitter from a community member.
(The NEWS removed the embedded tweet, on legal advise, in so far as it may disclose the correct address of the school)
After receiving the complaint, the MEC visited the school but was refused access at first. He took to Twitter after not gaining access.
(The NEWS removed the initial embedded tweet, on legal advise, in so far as it may disclose the correct address of the school)
The Gauteng Department of Education‘s (GDE) acting spokesperson, Mr Oupa Bodibe said, “Indeed the MEC visited the school and found that there are very few black children enrolled. The créche’s policy is that it only admits children if they have been recommended by a parent who already has a child in the school.”
“The MEC visited the school but what he found was that the school’s policy does not support the change we want to see in a democratic South Africa and that is disturbing,” said Mr Bodibe.
Security concerns
According to Sister Gillian Lawrence from Kiddieshaven, the school is concerned about security and was initially uncertain about who was at their gate.
“But the MEC did come into the school. Within five minutes, the MEC was on the property. We are always concerned about security. Once the MEC gained access, I showed him everything he wanted to see and he spoke to the children,” said Sister Lawrence.
She said the school has limitations as to how many pupils its educators can teach.
“But if people can pay and if there is space, children can attend our school. We are a multi-cultural school,” said Sister Lawrence.
