As the year winds down, many Grade 12 learners look forward to attending their matric farewells.
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However, Edenglen High School matric learner Nikita Naidoo (18) will not be joining her friends in the revelry as a result of 35 demerit points she has accumulated over the year.
The points were for contravening uniform policies (five points) and missing two afternoon detentions (15 points per missed detention).
“The demerits were for trivial reasons,” said Nikita’s mother, Nisha Naidoo, when the NEWS met with both mother and daughter.
Nikita said neither she nor her parents signed the demerit letters and her mother said she did not receive correspondence from the school regarding her daughter’s detention.
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“At first I thought Nikita wasn’t allowed to attend because the venue was too small. I contacted the venue and they said they had space for over 300 learners,” said Naidoo.
With the hopes of solving the problem, Nikita asked if she could catch up the detention she had skipped.
“The school did not allow her to do so,” said Naidoo.
In another attempt, Nikita submitted a proposal with 200 letters from other matrics appealing to the school to reconsider its decision.
The proposal stated the group of matric learners formed part of a family and that allowing everyone to attend the farewell would give them a final opportunity to spend a night together.
“The school did not accept the proposal. Not being allowed to attend the farewell could psychologically traumatise or negatively affect a child,” said Naidoo.
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Code of conduct
In response, Edenglen High School presented the NEWS with the school’s code of conduct which states attending the farewell is a privilege for matrics.
In a statement to the NEWS, Edenglen High School stated the number of demerit points was the reason why Nikita was not allowed to attend the farewell.
“Matrics who receive 25 demerit points will not be allowed to attend the farewell, the matric lunch or the valedictory assembly.”
The school said it notified learners and parents in December and January that breaking the school’s rules could result in them not being invited to the farewell.
The school said a demerit form for the uniform violations was signed by Nikita earlier this year.
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With regards to the detention for arriving late and demerits for not attending it, the school said learners and parents are aware of the school’s regulations and procedures.
“Because of this, no SMSes need to be sent out to the parents. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that learners are on the school property by 7.40am. The parent should notify the school of late arrivals of a learner.”
The school further said the school rules and code of conduct in the learners’ diary issued to each learner are approved by the Gauteng Department of Education.
“The school also holds parents evenings to allow parents and learners to raise concerns and speak to the relevant authorities.”
According to the school, Nikita’s proposal and letters from other learners were not accepted because letters were unnamed, unorganised and an attempt to force the school to do something. “The necessary channels were not followed.”
“If Nikita had attended the detention when they were issued to her she would not have received any demerit points.”
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