The whole matric group of West Ridge High School (WRHS) are in a panic state after they were chased away following chaos on the school grounds last Friday (21 August).
They’re allegedly only allowed on school grounds to write exams once preliminary exams commence next week.
One parent took to twitter to highlight the school’s mismanagement in a tweet to the Record.
“Entire West Ridge High School matric group suspended and sent home. Shameful fail[ure] by managment and the Department of Education,” the tweet read.
According to the father, whose daughter is in matric and son in Grade 10, the school is lawless to the effect that a board of prefects no longer exists and bouncers were allegedly hired to attempt controlling the crowds. He also said barricades were put up in school to keep children in line.
“My daughter was elected a prefect earlier this year but gave her badge back to the school, other children followed.
“She told me, ‘dad, I cannot deal with this nonsense’,” he told the Record.
Friday marked the start of the controversial ’40 days before finals’ and his daughter pre-arranged leaving the school early to avoid rowdiness.
Apparently the father later on Friday morning received a call from the school asking him to arrange for his son to get home because “the school is in chaos”.
“I have nothing good to say about the principal,” the upset father said.
A resident neighbouring school grounds confirmed the police were dispatched to WRHS on Friday to regain order.
To the allegations of lawlessness, the neighbour adds allegations of public drug use and drug dealing through pallisades, fraud and general mismanagement.
“I know that a couple of parents on the school’s governing body (SGB) are ready to quit because they cannot get clarity on fraud allegations,” he told the Record.
He alleges the school has been audited three times but no results came to light. His own daughter is in Grade 9 at WRHS but he said he is in the process of applying to other high schools.
“Children are openly taking tablets and smoking dagga outside the school during the day; I believe the main problem is the principal,” he said.
The Record spoke to one of the parents who serve on the SGB to confirm allegations.
I can’t say much at the moment because I honestly don’t know what’s going on,” she said.
“My own daughter [in Grade 9] came home on Friday saying no matrics were allowed in school.
“We’re very much in the dark about things as an SGB, but will discuss all of it at a meeting tomorrow night [Wednesday 26 August].”
The Record attempted to reach the school’s office but could not proceed past an automatic voice prompt.
More to follow.
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