Following the protests by parents at Bryneven Primary School as reported in the Sandton Chronicle Week ending 15 December, a resolution has been reached by the Gauteng Department of Education.
The Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi stepped in to listen to the parents’ concerns on 16 January.
The parents initially protested about several issues at the school which included allegations of fraud, nepotism, mismanagement and the victimisation of teachers.
The school hall was filled with parents eager to hear what the MEC had to tell them. Lesufi addressed the main points regarding the principal, the School Governing Body and the teachers.
Regarding the principal, Lesufi said he listened to the parents and that there are serious problems to be addressed. “I don’t think it will be in the interest of education and in the interest of the principal to be in this school while there are allegations against the principal.
“The principal will leave the school immediately and move to the district office who will then formally place the allegations and she will respond to those allegations.”
Lesufi said in the interim, both the head of department and the district will identify a suitable person to run the school and the School Governing Body will not be disbanded for now after he asked them why they should not be disbanded. “They have made a huge representation.”
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Joan Groenveld, a parent at the school, said she was very happy and satisfied with the outcome. “The parents are relieved with regards to the governing body. It is fair and they have been given the opportunity to state their case.”
Another concerned parent, Phillipa de Costa said the outcome of the meeting was absolutely fantastic. “We could not have asked for a better outcome.
“MEC Lesufi and HOD Edward Mosuwe have heard the parents and staff of Bryneven Primary and we feel that justice has been done.”
De Costa said she is happy the principal has left the school and that the governing body is still in place. “Both have investigations underway, but we are confident that Bryneven will bounce back to the wonderful, respected and loved school it has been.
“We were all extremely anxious and unsure of the outcome of the meeting, but the results far outweighed our expectations!”
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De Costa said there are still some concerns. “The parents are a little concerned about some of the teaching placements and irregularities regarding staff that will need to be looked at and sorted out by the school now that the principal is gone, but we are ecstatic and positive that all will come right quickly.
“We must commend the department for taking a difficult stand and for leading the school on the path back to its former glory.”
Are you satisfied with the outcome of the meeting at Bryneven Primary? Share your views with us, email pieterd@caxton.co.za or ashtynm@caxton.co.za
