Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Monday accepted the recommendations by the Roodepoort Primary School mediation committee which was tasked to help resolve the impasse at the school.
The premier received the report on Friday.
The premier said‚ “We have decided that the school will open on 8 September 2015‚ with formal learning and teaching commencing on 9 September as recommended by the mediation team.”
The school’s routine was last month disrupted by violent protests over the appointment of its principal‚ Nomathemba Molefe‚ and her deputies. 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 Makhura‚ a decision was taken to intervene by temporarily closing the school and to move pupils and teachers to Lufhereng Primary School.
Parents‚ however‚ refused to allow their children attend Lufhereng Primary‚ claiming they feared for their children’s safety.
The disruptions at Roodepoort Primary School saw five people injured by rubber bullets after police allegedly opened fire on a crowd of protestors.
Makhura said on Monday the period leading to the opening of the school would be used for counselling of affected learners and educators as well as preparation of the school premises to be ready for effective teaching and learning.
Lesufi‚ would do everything to ensure that the mediation team’s recommendations were fully implemented. Security at the school would be reinforced to ensure that the school environment was safe and conducive for effective teaching and learning. Noting that learners had lost valuable time for learning‚ the education department would implement a programme to assist learners to catch up on the curriculum content.
“On behalf of the Gauteng provincial government I wish to express gratitude to the mediation team for their outstanding work‚” said Makhura.
Makhura also committed to visit Davidsonville and neighbouring communities to address some of the social issues raised by the mediation report.
The mediation team will continue to provide support to the school and the community.
RDM News Wire.
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