Dulcie September Primary School parents want improvements and new leadership

The Dulcie September Primary School is currently grappling with a multitude of challenges that have significantly impacted the quality of the education it offers its young learners.

Foremost among these issues is the lack of a venue for parents’ meetings and school development, which has made it difficult for the school to engage with parents and the community effectively.

This lack of engagement has resulted in the school being unable to address other issues such as overcrowded classrooms, poorly trained teachers, and a lack of sports activities at the school.

In addition to these issues, the school is also in a state of disrepair, with broken windows and doors, exposed electrical cables, uncut grass, and other problems that have been affecting the school’s infrastructure for years.

The lack of maintenance and repairs has made the learning environment unsafe and uncomfortable for learners.

Residents and parents of learners at the school have expressed their dissatisfaction with the absence of a competent and dedicated School Governing Body (SGB).

The recent Dulcie SGB elections hosted at Allanridge Secondary School on March 2 had to be postponed to March 17 due to a lack of the required 15% parent attendance requirement by the Department of Education.

The election could have originally been postponed for March 9th, but because Allanridge’s facility was already booked for their elections on the same day, Dulcie had to reschedule their elections to March 17th.

This delay has frustrated residents who believe that the current SGB members could have avoided this issue if they had built a venue at Dulcie for parent meetings and spent resources on the development of the school.

Resident Shaida Sutton said they are frustrated with the current state of the school and they demand a change in leadership.

“We are calling for a strong and capable governor to take charge of the school and address the issues that have been plaguing it for years,” Sutton explained.

Calvin Bantham pointed out that the Rabie Ridge community is contributing to the overcrowding by providing proof of residence to people from outside the area who eventually register their children at Dulcie.

“Since our principal and SGB chairperson were elected there has been no change the situation is worse. Our children do not even have sports facilities or programmes at the school.”

“The community is determined to shape the school into a safe and welcoming place for our children to learn. We believe that they deserve a school that they can be proud of, and the learners deserve a safe and nurturing learning environment.

“It is imperative that the department investigates these issues and addresses them to ensure that the school operates with transparency and fairness. The current situation at Dulcie September Primary School is unacceptable, and urgent action is needed to turn it around.”

Lead 2: Division in leadership leaves the school suffering

Thabo Sithole, the chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB) of Dulcie September Primary School, has addressed the allegations and concerns raised about the school’s state.

Sithole acknowledged that there has been some division among the members of the SGB, but he emphasised that the school’s decisions are not made by him or the principal alone.

Sithole clarified that he is not involved in the school’s monetary decisions, which are handled by the chairperson of maintenance and the school principal.

He explained that most of the complaints and claims about the school started when the school’s last treasurer was reinstated as a co-op position and that the approaching SCB elections also contributed to dissatisfaction.

According to Sithole, the entire SGB is elected to run the school for a three-year term, and positions are contested every year. Therefore, the chairperson is elected to run for one year, and if parents are not satisfied, they have the power to change the chairperson after the year has ended.

“The co-op position can only be filled when there is no time to do by-elections, and the co-op person is elected by the whole SGB, not just the chairperson,” he explained.

“In the specific case of Dulcie September Primary School, a parent whose child was in Grade 7 couldn’t come back to the SGB, and this person happened to be a treasurer.”

“The reason for the reinstatement of the treasurer was because the new SGB needed to do a handover of all the financial statements and files, and the co-op person did not have the power to make any decisions or vote. “The treasurer was brought back to help with the handover process, as his term ended when his child left the school.”

Sithole clarified that he is not seeking reinstatement as a chairperson, but like all parents, he wants the school to be in good condition.

He mentioned that since the school’s inception 14 years ago, it has been using mobile containers, which were supposed to last for at least five years and that the containers are experiencing break-ins almost daily.

“Moreover, the school was built for a capacity of 800 learners, but it currently accommodates 2500 to 2600 learners.”

To prove that they have been working hard to try and improve the school, Sithole added that the school has been approved by the department for building this year.

He also mentioned that Dulcie has been making sure that the learners participate in various activities, as the school’s netball team won accolades, and a lot of programmes have been hosted to motivate learners.

“I know it is election times and people will always come up with accusations forgetting that they are also part of this. I cannot be a chairperson alone, we work as a team until a week or two ago.

Sithole concluded that parents should come in numbers to vote for the person they believe in on March 17.

“It is not about me, it is about the future of our children and our children come first.”

Lead 3: Education department calls on school communities to participate in SGB elections

The Department of Basic Education has urged all public schools to finalise their plans and to conduct the 2024 School Governing Body (SGB) elections this month.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga issued a notice in the Government Gazette last year confirming the dates for the elections as March 1-30 this year.

By law, SGBs are the backbone of school communities. They ensure our schools are not merely institutions of learning but beacons of hope, character, and community spirit.

Their impact is profound and far-reaching, with roles encompassing financial management, policy formulation, and staff appointment.

According to the department, research has consistently shown that schools with active SGBs excel across various metrics, including academic performance, learner well-being, and community engagement.

“The correlation between engaged SGBs and a school’s success is undeniable. Schools with high SGB participation report an average 20% higher pass rate than those with lower engagement,” said Motshekga.

“Additionally, incidents of vandalism and truancy decrease significantly in schools with active governing bodies. These are not just numbers—they are compelling evidence of the power of active participation.”

The SGB elections carry immense weight. They represent not just an exercise in democracy but an opportunity for parents, educators, and community members to join hands and contribute to improving our schools.

The department stands firmly committed to conducting these elections with unwavering integrity.

“We invite all eligible stakeholders – parents, teachers, non-teaching staff, learners (in high schools), and community members – to participate and have their say. Your voice matters.”

Through these elections, school communities can influence policies and decisions that will guide the educational landscape for years to come. Thus, strengthening partnerships is the fuel that ignites progress.

SGBs serve as a vital link, fostering understanding and collaboration between schools and the communities they serve.

The call to action today is simple yet powerful: get involved. Whether you choose to stand for election or cast your vote, your contribution holds immense significance. It will not only impact the lives of our children but also shape the future of our nation.

The department is committed to ensuring these elections are a model of democracy and accountability.

“Engage with the process, educate yourselves and others, and most importantly, exercise your right to vote. Your involvement is not just a contribution but a testament to your commitment to the future of our nation’s children,” Motshekga added.

The department encourages parents and all those involved to participate actively to ensure the elections are held successfully at the first opportunity.

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