Mother: ‘I would like to voice out my concerns’

Sir
At Dundee High School, the principal and some of the educators do not respect African traditional and culture practice.
It so happened that my daughter had to go and play sports during the weekend of February 27, 2016, and unfortunately there was a traditional ceremony that we had to observe as a family. She therefore could not take part in the sporting event that weekend. She consulted her coach in this regard and instead of handling the situation and negotiating it, the coach kicked her out of the team with the term of the team should come first at all times. I went to speak to the principal about the matter and he showed no respect for my daughter’s rights. When asked to see where my child signed a binding contract, he could not provide me with a document.
The contract had not yet been signed nor handed back to them on the later specified date. It made me very angry that my daughters name was in the conversations made by the coach and her students during a class lesson with remarks such as “she was not good enough to be in the team in the first place.”
Had she attended the sporting event that weekend would she have noticed that she was not good enough? She refused to attend a meeting I requested to resolve the matter, however, she saw it fit to discuss it with her pupils. I then wrote an email to the principal of the school to ask him to investigate this matter because it is said that if we, as parents, have any issue we are to consult with him. Again he decided not to do anything about it, and left my daughter in an emotional state. I had already paid for the sports tour by then, as well as the team uniform that has her name, was already made. My request is that the Department of Education stand up to the school. Their boarding house (hostel) is also problematic.
The mattresses they sleep on are appalling to say the least, but a great amount of money is paid every year. During the winter season they shower with cold water. When the issue was raised, the response was that they should take turns, if one showers at night one is not able to shower in the morning. With that being said, bear in mind that half of the students boarding at the hostel are females, therefore limitation of showering should not be allowed or suggested.
I plead with the Department of Education and Department of Health to stand up for the children’s rights and grievances.
A concerned parent