Education department 'committed to resolving the challenges' at Roodepoort school

06 October 2015 - 20:40 By RDM News Wire
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There is armed security at Roodepoort Primary School since residents tried to disrupt teaching at the reopened school on Monday, said education MEC Panyaza Lesufi. The school has been in the news due to various complaints from pupils' parents.
There is armed security at Roodepoort Primary School since residents tried to disrupt teaching at the reopened school on Monday, said education MEC Panyaza Lesufi. The school has been in the news due to various complaints from pupils' parents.
Image: ALON SKUY

The Gauteng education department says a mediator and experienced principal will stay on at the Roodepoort Primary School to help resolve the impasse between educators and parents.

The school’s routine was disrupted by violent protests over the appointment of its principal‚ Nomathemba Molefe‚ and her deputies earlier this year. It was reported that the protests were believed to be racially motivated as the school is in the predominantly coloured area of Davidsonville‚ and some parents did not want a black woman in charge.

In August‚ following extensive consultation with Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi and a visit by Gauteng Premier David Makhura‚ a decision was taken to intervene by temporarily closing the school and to move pupils and teachers to Lufhereng Primary School. The school was reopened last month after Makhura accepted the recommendations by the Roodepoort Primary School mediation committee‚ which had been tasked to help resolve the issue.

Today‚ the education department said it noted that the Davidson Community Forum still had concerns. However‚ the department believed it was addressing these. Following the agreement with the community to reopen the school‚ the department had implemented various measures.

These included the deployment of 24-hour armed guards. “Access to the school is strictly regulated. The community participates in the safety & security committee established to look into matters of safety‚” the department said.

A retired principal of Gouda Primary School‚ Olga Da Silva‚ has been appointed to mentor the School Management Team in general management protocols and sound governance procedures and processes.

The department has also retained one member of the Mediation Committee to remain at the school.

Furthermore‚ an audit of curriculum backlogs was conducted and a catch-up plan developed.

“Parents have also raised the issue of educators who have not been paid‚” the statement said. “These are educators hired by the School Governing Body and not the Gauteng Department of Education. The District is working with the school to resolve this.”

RDM News Wire.

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