Johannesburg - Problems at Roodepoort Primary School seem far from over, with parents divided over whether the school should be reopened.
On Tuesday, a group of parents, whose children have been attending school in Lufhereng, marched to Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s office.
They complained that the mediation team Makhura had set up to try to resolve the disputes didn’t consult them before deciding to reopen the school.
About 830 pupils have been attending Lufhereng Primary and were taught by the principal, her two deputies and a few teachers.
Other teachers reported to the district office, while about 300 pupils reported to a hall and churches in Davidsonville. This was because their parents had defied the Education Department’s decision to close the school.
Roodepoort Primary reopened on Wednesday after it was shut last month because of a dispute regarding principal Nomathemba Molefe’s appointment. Some of the parents had objected, accusing the school of mismanaging funds, among other allegations. This is despite the fact that two independent audit reports had cleared her of any wrongdoing.
The decision to reopen the school was made after a recommendation on Friday by the mediation team.
On Tuesday, however, some parents said they were worried about their children’s safety.
They said their children had settled into their new school and didn’t want to go back to Davidsonville.
Among the protesting parents was Ola Seichokelo, who said: “Our children are going to go back to that school and experience racism again. They are happier in the new school. Going back to that school will be traumatic.”
Parent Nancy Mofokeng said she was worried that the situation at the school could flare up again in a few weeks. The school has been shut three times this year.
“We have to do what’s best for our children, and that is for them to stay in Lufhereng. How are we going to know that the children will be safe? People have thrown petrol bombs at the school already. How is the premier going to keep our children safe?” Mofokeng asked.
The parents demanded to see the premier but were informed that he was unavailable. Instead, Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi held a meeting with a few of their leaders.
He persuaded them to go to the Roodepoort Civic Centre for a community meeting.
Late on Tuesday, however, attempts to reopen the school hit another snag.
While Lesufi and the mediation team held a meeting with parents, a crowd of parents opposed to the move descended on the school and tried to disrupt the meeting.
They made their demands known in songs and chants: “Lufhereng! Lufhereng!” they chanted, vowing to stop Roodepoort Primary from reopening.
However, according to reports on Wednesay morning, schooling has resumed.
The Star