Teaching came to a halt this past week when a number of parents and members of Westbury Primary’s School Governing Body picketed outside the school in protest against alleged mismanagement of the school.
Gershwin Chuenyane Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson said, “The department was aware of the stand-off at Westbury Primary on Monday morning where a number of parents from the SGB were picketing at the school.”
“The district immediately dispatched officials to the school to stabilise the situation.”
Parents have made allegations of report cards being kept back due to non payment of school fees.
“We have experienced problems such as end of the year report cards not being given for the past five years because of parents that are behind with school fees,” said a parent, Beverley Opperman.
“The principal has indicated that report cards in his possession were a result of non-collection by parents and pupils in the last term,” said Chuenyane.
Some parents allege that pupils are being verbally abused.
“I had to remove my child from Westbury Primary School as my daughter used to complain daily about being verbally abused,” said a parent.
“It is still unclear what caused the commotion as both the principal and the deputy refused to give statements to the district officials,” said Chenyane.
The Gauteng department of education says, “As a result of the intervention, the deputy principal was able to return to the school the same day. The situation returned to normal and there was no disruption of teaching and learning at the school. District officials will continue to monitor the situation and ensure stability is maintained.”
