Disabled pupils have been kicked out of Vukuhambe Special School for being too old.
Wheelchair-bound Zizipho Vellem, 21, who was due to complete her Grade 10 this year, said she was shown the door at the beginning of this month together with about 15 pupils older than 20.
“It had been discussed at the school last year because one of the teachers wanted us out.”
Vellem, who stays with friends in Mdantsane’s NU12, said they had worked hard to pass to prove to the then principal they were capable.
She pleaded with teachers to let her stay and complete her matric before returning to her Cofimvaba home.
She said she did not report the matter to the department of education, claiming a senior district official was “in on it”.
Grade 11 pupil Amanda Ncita, also 21, has to walk with the aid of crutches due to a bone deficiency.
She was also told she could not return to the school this year.
“I was at the school last year. This year I was supposed to move to Durban, but plans changed and now I’ve been told that I could be redirected to a sewing school with the other pupils who have been kicked out because the school no longer accommodates pupils older than 20, but I said no.”
Amanda’s father, Mthobeli, said it was painful to see what their children were going through.
“It’s strenuous because we had hoped that our children, as disabled as they may be, would be allowed to be academics and become educated so they can walk tall. Already they are mocked for their disabilities, now they are being victimised at school, it’s frustrating.”
The acting principal at Vukuhambe, Zamile Jongilanga, confirmed that pupils had been told not to return.
“I don’t like this word of pupils being kicked out, but we are in a process of redirecting some of our pupils to other schools, and that is a matter between the school and the district office.”
Jongilanga could not explain what the criteria was for the redirection or why some of the pupils were sent home.
He referred all questions to the district office.
But district education director Sihle Mnguni said he was not aware that pupils at Vukuhambe had been sent home.
“This is the first I am hearing of it. This matter has not reached my office, but if there is any truth to this I do not support it, especially because Vukuhambe is a school for pupils with specials needs so they cannot be compared to others.”
Mnguni said he would follow up on the matter with urgency.
“If the pupils are still around, I would like to talk to them because this is not right. Whoever may have kicked pupils out has done so without the mandate of the department.”
Doors of learning slam shut
Wheelchair-bound Zizipho Vellem, 21, who was due to complete her Grade 10 this year, said she was shown the door at the beginning of this month together with about 15 pupils older than 20.
“It had been discussed at the school last year because one of the teachers wanted us out.”
Vellem, who stays with friends in Mdantsane’s NU12, said they had worked hard to pass to prove to the then principal they were capable.
She pleaded with teachers to let her stay and complete her matric before returning to her Cofimvaba home.
She said she did not report the matter to the department of education, claiming a senior district official was “in on it”.
Grade 11 pupil Amanda Ncita, also 21, has to walk with the aid of crutches due to a bone deficiency.
She was also told she could not return to the school this year.
“I was at the school last year. This year I was supposed to move to Durban, but plans changed and now I’ve been told that I could be redirected to a sewing school with the other pupils who have been kicked out because the school no longer accommodates pupils older than 20, but I said no.”
Amanda’s father, Mthobeli, said it was painful to see what their children were going through.
“It’s strenuous because we had hoped that our children, as disabled as they may be, would be allowed to be academics and become educated so they can walk tall. Already they are mocked for their disabilities, now they are being victimised at school, it’s frustrating.”
The acting principal at Vukuhambe, Zamile Jongilanga, confirmed that pupils had been told not to return.
“I don’t like this word of pupils being kicked out, but we are in a process of redirecting some of our pupils to other schools, and that is a matter between the school and the district office.”
Jongilanga could not explain what the criteria was for the redirection or why some of the pupils were sent home.
He referred all questions to the district office.
But district education director Sihle Mnguni said he was not aware that pupils at Vukuhambe had been sent home.
“This is the first I am hearing of it. This matter has not reached my office, but if there is any truth to this I do not support it, especially because Vukuhambe is a school for pupils with specials needs so they cannot be compared to others.”
Mnguni said he would follow up on the matter with urgency.
“If the pupils are still around, I would like to talk to them because this is not right. Whoever may have kicked pupils out has done so without the mandate of the department.”
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