Chaos erupted at Randfontein Secondary School in Toekomsrus on Wednesday morning (14 March) after learners were allegedly denied access to the school to write exams.
The Herald was contacted by furious parents at about 8am and on arrival, the Randfontein Police were already on the school premises. Learners were upset and disappointed, and some even traumatised especially because they had exams to write.
According to parents on scene, the school normally opens at 7.30am, but according to a teacher it opens at 6.30am. Megan Walters, an upset parent said it was unacceptable as the learners’ education was being disrupted.
The gates were closed on instruction of the principal, allegedly because “not enough” parents had attended the School Governing Body (SGB) meeting the previous (Tuesday) night.
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Some of the learners said they were tired of everything going on at the school, some claiming they were being victimised and spoken to inappropriately.One parent, who wished not to be named to protect the identity of her daughter, claimed that her daughter had been called an inappropriate name, while the majority of the parents felt the principal was unable to solve issues.
What struck the Herald, was a parent saying many of the learners have a troubled home life and their school, which is supposed to be a safe haven for them to be educated, is becoming an additional problem.
It’s said the learners were only allowed to enter the premises at 8.50am. Allegedly the parents were then told to go to the school hall where the principal would address them.
Ten minutes later the parents left the hall and told the Herald the principal said the SGB meeting would be held on 22 March. The learners then went to assembly and the principal told the Herald to leave the hall.
After assembly had ended, the principal declined to comment to the Herald, and said all queries should be directed to the Department of Education.
The issue has been brought to the Department’s attention and the Herald is awaiting feedback.
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