Department steps in at Settlers school
The Department of Education has intervened at the Settlers Agricultural High School (SAHS) after upset parents confronted the principal, Katlego Letsoalo, and members of the School Governing Board (SGB), with allegations of financial irregularities.
Parents complained that their concerns regarding the financial management at the school have been falling on deaf ears for months. They have questions regarding travel claims made by SGB members, the acquisition of a second-hand generator without it being cleared with the SGB, and a winter camp that learners paid for, but did not attend and the payments were not reversed, among other issues.
The academic standard of learners and living conditions in the hostel were also amongst the concerns raised.
According to Mike Maringa, spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education in Limpopo, an interim committee was appointed to perform all the functions of the SGB as per section 25 of SASA (Act 84 of 1996).
“The department is also attending to the challenge of management of the school. The Norms and Standards is conducting an internal audit investigation in the utilisation of school funds. The interim committee will be introduced to the parents on Sunday September 3rd,” he said. “The Department will be monitoring and supporting the school and the interim committee until the school becomes functional.”
