Developing story: Parents in uproar due to outstanding fees
Upset parents gathered at Settlers Agricultural High School on Wednesday after 35 learners were refused entry to the school hostels on Monday when the new term started, due to outstanding hostel fees. Many other learners apparently returned home when refused entry.
Die Pos were told that the stranded learners, some of whom come from as far as Pietermaritzburg and Bloemfontein, were given boarding in an unused, dilapidated former hostel building shortly before midnight on Monday. The learners received no food except what friends and parents who were present gave them. According to concerned parents who arrived at the school, they were not allowed to view the building. The learners reported that it had no electricity.
“We received our first financial statements for the year on Monday. They were incorrect and did not reflect previous payments. We feel that the children were ambushed. The school knew that they would have nowhere to go and that most would arrive by taxi without their parents,” one mother said. The finance office apparently told parents that no arrangements would be made to pay off outstanding fees. “We are prepared to pay, but give us correct statements.”
DIE POS | Developing story: Parents in uproar due to outstanding fees: Upset parents gathered at Settlers Agricultural High School on Wednesday after 35 learners were refused entry to the school hostels on Monday when the new term started, due to outstanding hostel fees. pic.twitter.com/GvrdGE1Lly
— Die Pos (@diepos) October 11, 2023
The parents have been at loggerheads with the school and SGB for several months. Parents allege that there is financial mismanagement and that those who deal with the finances are not qualified to do so. A generator bought at a cost of R2,5m but with no warranty papers, transport fees that must be paid without any school trips happening and poor hostel food (such as rice and viennas without vegetables) are some of the issues raised.
According to spokesperson Mike Maringa, the Department of Education has placed the principal on precautionary leave and appointed an acting principal.
The matric exams commence on October 30. Concerns are that the current issue will affect those learners. On Tuesday most of the 70 learners were not at school.
At 13.00 parents were peacefully waiting at the office to speak to the acting principal, circuit manager, and other delegates from the Department of Education.
“We have used all avenues available to us. We spoke to people as high up in the department as possible. They always tell us that they will come back to us, but we get no answers.”
Die Pos reached out to the acting principal for comment, which will be shared once received.
