Cape Town - More than 100 parents have contacted the Western Cape Education Department this week claiming schools have withheld their children’s reports, mainly because of outstanding fees.
Jessica Shelver, spokeswoman for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said the cases did not include those reported directly to circuit or district offices.
Not all of the cases reported turned out to be true, but Schäfer had requested a list of the others and was looking at possible disciplinary steps against the principals.
In one case, pupils’ reports were allegedly withheld because they had not returned their textbooks.
“In all the cases relevant officials contacted the schools involved, informing them that the unlawful practice would not be tolerated. The officials also followed up with the parents to ensure that the report was handed over.”
Last week Schäfer warned that schools were not allowed to withhold pupils’ results “for any reason whatsoever”.
“While I understand and sympathise with many schools who battle to collect school fees from parents, especially when some parents can clearly afford them, discriminating against a learner for the financial decisions or position of a parent will not be tolerated,” she said.
She also appealed to parents to settle their fees if they were able to.
On Wednesday, Schäfer said 448 schools would receive 24-hour or overnight security over the holidays.
Residents were asked to get involved with neighbourhood watches and immediately report any suspicious behaviour in and around schools to the police.”
The department’s Safe Schools directorate had organised a holiday programme for pupils in all eight education districts. Programmes would include substance abuse, HIV/Aids, sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy seminars, workshops on conflict and drug abuse, peer pressure, leadership and communications courses, as well as debating and reading. Fun and physical activities included swimming, indigenous games, dog shows, boat trips, soccer and rugby tournaments.
Cape Argus