The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has finally intervened in the matter of Blade Thompson’s rejection by Constantia Kloof Primary School (CKPS).
The 12-year-old boy has been without a school since the beginning of the year after his mother, Yvette, alleged that he was rejected at CKPS due to problems with his report.
Spokesperson for the GDE, Steve Mabona, provided a detailed report about Blade’s case. “Yvette Thompson applied for Blade to enter Grade 6 on 12 April 2018. The school discovered that Blade had not passed Grade 4 at his previous school.”
Read the initial article here: Local learner’s educational rights infringed
“The Head of Department of Constantia Kloof School has been in constant liaison with the principal of his previous school as well and unfortunately, it was confirmed that Blade did not pass Level 4, which is equivalent to Grade 4. According to information at our disposal, Blade was removed from the previous school in November 2017.
Furthermore, we can confirm that Blade’s school attendance record at the previous school was extremely poor,” Mabona explained.
He continued to explain that to the school’s knowledge, the mother had not made any effort to enrol Blade at a school in the first term of 2018.
He indicated that Yvette reported her matter to the JHB West District official on 10 April 2018.
“After consulting the school [CKPS], the Principal indicated that the child is not supposed to be in Grade 6, but Grade 4. The official then requested the parent to submit the child’s birth certificate and academic report so that we can verify the grade and allocate the child to the correct grade. The official reminded Ms Thompson on 13 April 2018 to submit the documents to the District; she indicated that she will submit on Monday, 15 April 2018.”
“On 17 April 2018, she sent a message enquiring about the placement of Blade at Constantia Kloof Primary. The official reminded her again that she was still waiting for documents for proper placement.”
“She refused to submit, indicating that she was going to call her councillor. Ms Thompson phoned the Circuit Manager on 17 April 2018 indicating that she would report the District to her councillor if her child was not placed at Constantia Kloof Primary. The Circuit Manager indicated to the parent that the District is still awaiting documentation to effect placement. The District never heard from Ms Thompson again,” Mabona explained.
He added that he advises Yvette to urgently submit the required documentation to the District for further assistance of her son.
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