Spark Schools Carlswald branch denies unfair delays with enrolling wheelchair-bound learner

“Spark Carlswald does not want to enrol my daughter because she is in a wheelchair.” These painful words were uttered by a mother whose daughter is losing classroom time.

Mante Pearl Makgaretse said all she is asking for is for Princess to go to school just like any other child but that they are discriminating against her on the basis that she is physically challenged.

Princess (10) was born with osteogenesis imperfecta also known as OI. Her bones are not strong, so she uses a wheelchair.
Makgaretse said last year that Princess passed Grade 4 at Curro Riverside where she was travelling from Midrand to Riverside using Curro School for transport.

She said they removed her after a year of transporting her saying their school transport is not suitable for her needs. “I had to Uber her to and from school which was very costly. I was unable to get the school to provide transport even though it was costing me about R300 per day. This year, I then decided to apply for her to attend Sparks Carswald on January 10 which is not far from our house so I can easily drop her off. The woman [name withheld] called me and said they do have space in Grade 5. I should provide all the information listed on their website which I did. She then came back asking for a report and birth certificate which I provided,” said Makgaretse.

She said on the application form, Makgaretse disclosed that her daughter is in a wheelchair. Makgeretse alleged that the woman never got back to her, and she started sending reminders to her via email.

“After a few reminders, she got back to me saying my request was declined. I asked her who declined my request and what was the reason. I further asked for a letter from the school with the school’s letterhead explaining why my request was declined. Since then, she never replied to me or gotten back to me”.

She said on January 24, she then received a call from another woman who allegedly said the school didn’t have a problem with enrolling Princess.

“The lady from Sparks arranged a meeting for me to meet Sparks Carswald’s principal on January 25. The principal showed me around the school which I was impressed because they had ramps to accommodate her around the school. The principal advised that I should go ahead with enrolment with the school. I wonder why there has been a delay in enrolling my daughter considering they have ramps, and everything needed for her to begin learning. Would there have been a delay if she was able-bodied?”

Spark School’s head of primary Nkazimulo Zitha said the enrolment of learners with disabilities is measured alongside school accessibility, teacher training for inclusion, and provision of assistive devices aligned to requirements of the Department of Basic Education.

“As a result, the delay in enrolling the scholar has been due to SPARK Schools fulfilling our due diligence to meet the scholar’s requirements. The parent of the scholar has been invited to take part in this process in the interest of full transparency. This is an ongoing process, and the matter has not yet been resolved. We are committed to finalising this process as soon as possible.”

She concluded that Spark Schools is committed to providing quality academic, social, and cultural experiences for all learners.

Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said, “Thank you for bringing the matter to our attention and as such our officials were dispatched to investigate the circumstances around this matter, and all other allegations. The outcome thereof will be communicated in due course. It must be noted that the placement of learners with disabilities is done through the District Based Support Team.”
Mabona cocnluded that parents cannot send their children directly to schools as there are additional supporting documents required to ensure suitable placement accordingly.

Osteogenesis imperfecta facts

– Chronic which can last for years or be lifelong
– Treatment helps, but the condition cannot be cured
– Requires medical diagnosis
– It can cause weak muscles and a curved spine
– It is caused by several genes that are not working properly

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