The Limpopo education department has reprimanded a circuit manager for asking schools for donations to pay for wifi connectivity and stationery consumables for his office.
This follows a letter signed by a principal of a committee of the Soutpansberg East circuit office requesting principals of 25 schools falling under the control of circuit manager Falaza Baloyi to donate R2,200 each for circuit functions.
Among other things, the money was to be used to pay for wifi for the circuit office and to settle an outstanding balance of about R16,000 owed to a stationery supplier for toners and ink.
The letter, dated March 24 and bearing the letterhead of the circuit office, was withdrawn by Baloyi after the provincial education department instructed him to do so. He was also ordered to refund all monies that were donated by the schools, which all fell into the quintile 1 to 3 category, or very poor schools.
The National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB) provincial office in Limpopo lodged a complaint with the education department there after being tipped off about the controversial practice.
Baloyi confirmed to Sunday Times Daily that the department had asked them to withdraw the letter and return the monies to the schools.
“The reason [for the donations] was just to try to assist the circuit office to run because it does not have a budget.”
He downplayed asking schools for donations, saying “it was water under the bridge and we have even forgotten about it”.
In terms of the directive that the department had given earlier on, I think it [asking schools for a donation] was illegal because it was something we should not have done. Maybe we should have found a different way of addressing our challenge.
— Falaza Baloyi
Baloyi denied instructing schools to provide donations, saying principals agreed in a management meeting at which he was present to make them.
“They took a decision. It was for activities of the circuit, such as attending training sessions and management meetings, and to run awards for learners.”
He said the department previously issued a circular asking circuit offices not to collect monies from schools.
Baloyi said the stationery supplier had deducted the R16,000 owed by the circuit office from a R26,000 donation it awarded after a request from him for a donation.
“In terms of the directive that the department had given earlier on, I think it [asking schools for a donation] was illegal because it was something we should not have done. Maybe we should have found a different way of addressing our challenge.”
The principal, whose name and contact number appears on the letter, denied writing it, saying it was “written from the circuit”.
“I am part of one of the committees of the circuit, but I cannot speak on behalf of the circuit.”
He also confirmed that schools that made donations were refunded.
Shumani Thomoli, NASGB’s provincial chairperson in Limpopo, said he was informed by the district director responsible for the Soutpansberg East circuit that Baloyi was going to be issued with a warning for his conduct.
“But we believe that it isn’t sufficient enough punishment.”
Limpopo education department spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene confirmed that circuit offices are not allowed to collect money from schools.
“The circuit manager was directed to retract the circular and refund money collected as soon as this was picked up by the provincial head office.”
She said the district director held a meeting with Baloyi, “where he was reprimanded for the action”.
“Our institutional governance team at provincial level is working on a refresher course for circuit managers on the utilisation of norms and standards for school.”
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