The department of education is investigating claims that the principal of a no-fee high school was enforcing payment of a R680 per annum “development fund” by withholding the matric certificates of pupils whose parents do not pay.
This comes after the provincial arm of the South African National Civic Organisation intervened and reported the matter to the department.
It is alleged that the principal of Breidbach Senior Secondary School requested that every pupil pay R600 towards a development fund for the year and an R80 administration fee.
Education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said the development fund was a donation and could not be enforced.
“No one can withhold pupils’ certificates over a donation.”
Mtima said a team of investigators would be sent to the school when schools reopened next year to investigate.
When contacted for comment yesterday, the principal at the school, Les Mara, refused to comment.
“Schools are closed, I have no comment,” said Mara, before hanging up.
The Daily Dispatch has spoken to two people who claim their children’s matric certificates have been withheld by the principal since 2015 over their non-payment of this fund.
The Dispatch has also seen two letters from the school addressed to all of this year’s pupils regarding this fee.
The first letter states that a minimum deposit of R580 is required before December 8 this year and the balance of R100 before the end of January next year.
A second later states that the fund is a “voluntary contribution” and parents can donate whenever they are able to.
The letter, signed by the principal, further states, “If you are unable to help with this, please come to the school and speak to the principal or the admissions committee”.
The school’s banking details are listed at the bottom of the letter.
A parent, Desmond Allison, said his daughter, who matriculated in 2015, only got her matric certificate last week from the school after Sanco’s intervention.
“When my daughter matriculated she only got her statement of symbol, and as a result she has been struggling to register at an institution of higher learning because of the outstanding matric certificate,” said Allison.
The guardian of a former pupil who matriculated in 2015, and who lives with her, has been struggling to get a job due to his outstanding matric certificate.
“He went to the school last week and was told he will not get his certificate until he pays the fee,” said the guardian. who asked not be named for fear that her children, who are currently at the school, could be victimised.
Sanco deputy chairman Dan Bolman said after the matter was reported to them by Sanco members from the community, they had engaged the education district office calling for the matter to be investigated and for the development fee to be scrapped. — arethal@
dispatch.co.za
No-fee school in hot water
This comes after the provincial arm of the South African National Civic Organisation intervened and reported the matter to the department.
It is alleged that the principal of Breidbach Senior Secondary School requested that every pupil pay R600 towards a development fund for the year and an R80 administration fee.
Education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said the development fund was a donation and could not be enforced.
“No one can withhold pupils’ certificates over a donation.”
Mtima said a team of investigators would be sent to the school when schools reopened next year to investigate.
When contacted for comment yesterday, the principal at the school, Les Mara, refused to comment.
“Schools are closed, I have no comment,” said Mara, before hanging up.
The Daily Dispatch has spoken to two people who claim their children’s matric certificates have been withheld by the principal since 2015 over their non-payment of this fund.
The Dispatch has also seen two letters from the school addressed to all of this year’s pupils regarding this fee.
The first letter states that a minimum deposit of R580 is required before December 8 this year and the balance of R100 before the end of January next year.
A second later states that the fund is a “voluntary contribution” and parents can donate whenever they are able to.
The letter, signed by the principal, further states, “If you are unable to help with this, please come to the school and speak to the principal or the admissions committee”.
The school’s banking details are listed at the bottom of the letter.
A parent, Desmond Allison, said his daughter, who matriculated in 2015, only got her matric certificate last week from the school after Sanco’s intervention.
“When my daughter matriculated she only got her statement of symbol, and as a result she has been struggling to register at an institution of higher learning because of the outstanding matric certificate,” said Allison.
The guardian of a former pupil who matriculated in 2015, and who lives with her, has been struggling to get a job due to his outstanding matric certificate.
“He went to the school last week and was told he will not get his certificate until he pays the fee,” said the guardian. who asked not be named for fear that her children, who are currently at the school, could be victimised.
Sanco deputy chairman Dan Bolman said after the matter was reported to them by Sanco members from the community, they had engaged the education district office calling for the matter to be investigated and for the development fee to be scrapped. — arethal@
dispatch.co.za
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