Parents of learners who were enrolled at the PLG North Riding Academy were left out in the cold since the school announced its closure at the end of the first term.
The closure first came to light when one of the parents posted the notice she had received from the school on Facebook without any advanced warning.
“This decision was not made lightly, and we understand the impact this will have on your individual lives as the year has just started. We apologise for the inconvenience caused,” the notice read.
One of the parents, who wished not to be named for fear of victimisation, said he bought stationery, school uniform, textbooks and paid school fees.
He said since the issuing of the notice he tried on numerous occasions to get hold of the school about the financial loss he incurred and if he would be refunded. He was initially directed to the school’s financial director.
“They have continued stories and whenever you try to talk to the financial head he is forever in meetings. I have now left it to my lawyers to handle everything,” he said.
He said he tried and was hoping to get the matter resolved but the school was sending him from pillar to post. “It’s like fighting a losing battle,” said the father who made a plan to get his child into another school.
“Why made parents pay school fees, buy stationery, textbooks and uniform,” he asked. He said the school had the audacity to tell him to sell textbook online which he had initially bought for his daughter.
Randburg Sun was initially referred to the school’s financial director, Thabo Tshepuwane who insisted that he should be sent an email with a media enquiry.
He was asked if the parents were alerted about the closure perhaps last year, if the parents who had already paid school fees could be refunded and why the school is closing, among other questions.
The Randburg Sun has sought comment since January 20 without any success.
Gauteng Department of Education indicated there is a procedure that the school should follow when closing its doors. The department’s acting spokesperson Oupa Bodibe said the owner [of the school] had to inform and provide written reasons to the head of department for proposing closure at least five months before such closure occurs. “They must also provide proof that parents, teachers and learners were given at least six calendar months written notice with reasons of the proposed closure, provided the closure does not disrupt teaching and learning at the school.”
He said the department then verifies any possible information that could have a bearing on the educational rights of learners. “Administrative processes are then followed to officially close the school,” he added.
When asked about the refunds, Bodipe said the school has no right to withhold any school fees paid after the decision to close has been communicated with the parents. “The school is in the process of paying refunds to parents who had already paid school fees,” he said.
He said it was the department’s responsibility to ensure that learners who need admission at school are catered for. He said on January 19, the school gave all parents a letter to give them notice of closure. “By 24 January, approximately 35 learners had been withdrawn by their parents. The remaining learners were withdrawn by 31 January 2022, except for two, whose placements are still underway. Some of the schools which have accommodated the learners are, Bateleur Academy, Sharonlea and North Riding College.”
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