Chaos and confusion marred the first day of school at Tsitsikamma Primary School after the Eastern Cape education department opted to close the premises this week to start a gradual transformation into a high school.
However, irate primary school parents refused to allow this and forced the principal, FV Grootboom, to open the gates and allow their children inside.
Moments later, Kou-Kamma mayor Fuzile Yake arrived to speak to the parents as the first cohort of grade 10 pupils stood and watched as time for their first day of teaching ticked away while the primary school pupils were then allowed in.
Just before noon, parents were informed to fetch their primary schoolchildren as the school day was over.
Hours later, they were again told not to bring their children to school until further notice.
A decision was made to allow grade 10 pupils to complete their academic year, which started on Wednesday, at the school as there was a need for a high school in the area.
Eventually, the primary school classes would be phased out making way for a high school in the coming years.
Education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said consultation was done in 2022 with principals and communities.
“There was a decision to open a high school in the Tsitsikamma area, that is in response to requests from the community over the past years,” Mtima said.
“A group of parents from the primary school that is supposed to be converted into a high school are now opposing the decision taken by the same community.”
Mtima said despite Wednesday’s issues, engagements would continue.
“We are now engaging the communities so that a decision can again be taken looking at the best interest of the learner and that is part of what we are engaging them on,” he said.
“The intention was for [grade 10 pupils] to enrol today before the opposition by some parents, hence we are now engaging all relevant parties.”
Parents, however, denied the department’s claims, saying they were never consulted and had received a circular from the school on Tuesday, informing them the school would be closed indefinitely.
In the letter, the school said it was in the best interest of the community if the school remained shut.
But on Wednesday, parents fought back, bringing their children to school.
Grade 10 pupils also arrived and were told they had to register.
As the primary pupils were taken into their classes, the grade 10 pupils stood in queues, waiting for department officials to arrive so that they could be registered.
When the officials arrived, they held a meeting behind closed doors with the principal.
The parents of the primary schoolchildren were then told to fetch them at 11am.
Moments later, the school sent another letter, saying the school would be closed indefinitely for grade R to 7 pupils.
“Dear parents/guardian, by instruction of the district director, Mr NRW de Bruyn of Sarah Baartman department of education, all grade R to grade 7 learners must stay at home from tomorrow 18/01/24 until further notice and instruction from the department,” the letter says.
Parent Elvis Dlamkile said he was outraged.
“What is happening is truly upsetting,” Dlamkile said.
“This primary school doesn’t even have space for any additional grades, there’s not even teachers for the grade 10 pupils.
“There is a big school down the road that can easily take these grade 10s.”
The school Dlamkile was referring to is Bluelillies Bush Primary School, a stone’s throw from Tsitsikamma Primary.
Bluelillies provides education for primary school pupils and up to grade nine.
Burton Mlandu, a parent and SGB member of Tsitsikamma Primary, said he was furious.
“It came to our attention this year that the department has identified our school to be a high school for the Tsitsikamma area,” Mlandu said.
“We as the Tsitsikamma Primary School community are 100% in support of the idea of a high school but not at our school’s expense.
“This was in the minutes of a recent AGM meeting.
“Our school is the only producing school in Tsitsikamma that was acknowledged and commented on by the department on Friday, saying all primary children need a solid foundation for them to be able to be excellent learners in high school.
“Our school has a sterling academic record that was established for more than 30 years.”
Parent Wilmien Strydom said she had been left in the lurch as she had paid this year’s monthly R50 school fee upfront.
“I am appalled by this behaviour, it’s unacceptable and we can’t allow this to happen.”
HeraldLIVE
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