KZN bans matric dances

KwaZulu-Natal's matrics might have to shelve their tiaras and tuck away their tuxedos if a directive from the province's education department stands.

It's a decision that other education departments have not copied and the province's schools are unlikely to take it lying down.

The Federation of Governing Bodies for SA Schools said the department had no business meddling in the social affairs of schools, and Ladysmith High School said it was going ahead with its matric bash come what may.

The department issued a circular to schools last week telling them to "suspend" matric dances until the end of November to allow teachers and pupils time to focus on studies.

Matric examinations begin on October 19.

Department spokesman Kwazi Mthethwa said: "We don't want any distractions. We are not expecting any schools to defy and undermine the decision that has been taken by the department. If they do they will have to explain to us why."

However, Ladysmith High School principal Christo Pietersen said a matric farewell for his 168 Grade 12 pupils would go ahead on September 30 as planned.

"It's too late to cancel. The pupils and parents have been preparing for this event for a long time now.

"Outfits have been bought and the venue has been booked. This is a formal function. It's not a party. We're paying homage to our pupils and teachers. We're going ahead," the principal said.

The Federation of Governing Bodies' CEO, Paul Colditz, said the department's instruction was "unlawful".

"They don't have the authority to do this. It's a local decision that lies with the governing body. This is a knee-jerk reaction; crisis management, if you will.

"If you have done your teaching and learning well over 12 years a matric dance is not going to have any effect whatsoever," said Colditz.

National Education Department spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said the decision on matric farewells had to be made by individual provinces .

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said there were no plans to cancel matric dances but confirmed that he wanted a review of the annual event.

"I've received countless representations [on matric dances] from NGOs, ranging from those that work around alcohol to those that work around rape survivors, and from anxiety groups, and also from parents," he said.

The Western Cape department of education said it did not want to "meddle" in schools' social arrangements.