The eight-year-old girl who was expelled from Kings College in Mdantsane for wearing dreadlocks started at her new school on Monday.
The Grade 3 pupil had been sitting at home for four weeks because her father, Siseko Siwisa, refused to sign the school’s new code of conduct last month.
Siwisa, a small business owner, said his daughter attended Kings College for two years.
She was denied entry to her classes after he failed to sign the new code of conduct.
The rules do not allow pupils to have dreadlocks.
On Monday, his daughter walked into the newly formed Buffalo City Education Centre in Wilsonia with her dreadlocks still neatly styled.
“The (Kings College) principal told me that if my child does not change her hairstyle she would be expelled.
“The principal told me that the school was his business and he would choose who he does business with.”
Siwisa said he was informed verbally of his daughter’s expulsion.
“I did not receive a letter. After my daughter got expelled I went to the department [of education] and told them that the school’s code of conduct is unconstitutional so it was their responsibility to get a school for my child.
“The department said they can’t do anything about Kings College’s code of conduct but they would take my child to the new school that opened today.
“What I don’t understand is that the code of conduct is against the constitution.”
But education MEC Mlungisi Mvoko said the education authorities would write to the school to demand an explanation.
“As much as the school is an independent school, we as the department have a role to play. There are two things here: the right of the child to education that should not be infringed, and also, there are policies of the department.
“So whatever the school is doing it should not infringe on the child’s rights or overrule the department’s policies.
“I have asked my guys to look into our role in independent schools as we are the ones that allow these schools to be licensed,” he said.
Siwisa he was happy that his daughter was in class.
“I do not mind that my child now has to travel long distances, just as long as she is back at school.
“My daughter is also just happy to be back at school,” he said.
Provincial education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the new school was formed to accommodate unplaced pupils across the metro.
“We had an influx of pupils in schools across Buffalo City and the department is trying to manage that by providing this new school.”
Kings College management refused to comment to the Dispatch in earlier interviews. – with additional reporting by Aretha Linden...