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Urgent intervention needed to ensure Gauteng independent schools don’t violate learners’ rights

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) ensure that independent schools adhere to the code of conduct and uphold the rights of learners.

This follows a recent incident involving a 14-year-old Grade 9 pupil at Cornerstone College, a private school in Tshwane. It has come to our attention that on July 19th, a young learner experienced a distressing situation where she urinated on herself during class while on her period. Furthermore, we are appalled by reports suggesting that the school’s principal allegedly ordered her staff to identify the student, referring to her as a “disappointment to her school.”

The South African Constitution unequivocally defends the right to dignity for all its citizens, including learners. The dignity of this young pupil was violated, not only during the incident itself but also in the aftermath, when she was allegedly subjected to humiliation, detention, and punishment instead of the counselling and support she needed.

Considering these deeply concerning allegations, we condemn this incident in the strongest terms.

Furthermore, we urge that the affected learner be provided with urgent counselling to help her cope with the emotional distress resulting from this incident. It is essential to prioritise her well-being and ensure she receives the necessary care and support to recover from this traumatic experience. These types of incidents lead to mocking and bullying by fellow learners, which may lead to the learner dropping out of school.

GDE has initiated an investigation, and we look forward to their findings and subsequent actions. This matter must be addressed swiftly and comprehensively to prevent any further harm to the affected learner and to maintain the integrity of our educational institutions.

The DA will closely monitor the developments in this case to ensure that all parties involved, including school staff, are held accountable for their actions or inactions.

In addition, we demand that GDE emphasise the importance of upholding the rights of learners and respecting their human dignity within educational institutions. No learner should ever experience such humiliation and mistreatment while pursuing their education.

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DA to assess non-compliant GCRA offices in Joburg CBD

On Monday, 24 July 2023, the DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL, and the DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Education, Sergio Do Santos MPL, will conduct an oversight inspection at the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) offices in the Johannesburg CBD.

The purpose of the oversight inspection is to assess the state of the GCRA building to ascertain whether it complies with the occupational and health safety standards.

We have received several complaints about the building being poorly maintained, dilapidated, and not fit for human habitation.

GCRA has been inundated with several complaints recently, particularly from interns who have not received their stipends for the past three months.

Members of the media are invited for an opportunity to take pictures and ask questions.

Details of the oversight are as follows:

Date: 24 July 2023
Time: 10:00
Venue: 55 Fox Street, Johannesburg.

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DA Gauteng wishes the Muslim community, Ramadan Mubarak

As we enter the holy month of Ramadan, we would like to take a moment to wish all Muslims a blessed and peaceful month. Ramadan is a time for reflection, devotion, and giving back to our communities.

However, we are also aware of the ongoing power and water outages that are affecting many communities across Gauteng. We understand that this can add to the challenges of observing Ramadan, and we as the Democratic Alliance (DA) are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that these essential services impacted by the incompetence of Rand Water and Eskom be mitigated as quickly as possible.

We are also deeply concerned about the few incidents of armed and attempted armed robberies at Mosques during times of prayers. This is a callous and despicable act that goes against the very spirit of religious observation and devotion faced not only by the Muslim community but all religions. We demand that law enforcement agencies must ensure that those responsible for these crimes are apprehended and brought to justice.

Finally, we urge all members of the Muslim community to stay vigilant during this time and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately. Together, we can make this Ramadan a safe and peaceful one for all Insha’Allah (God Willing).

We wish all Muslims a Ramadan Mubarak. May the blessings of the month of Ramadan be on all of us and may Allah SWT accept our prayers and fast.

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No learners’ religious beliefs were infringed on by Roosevelt High School

Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng had a fruitful engagement with the School Governing Body (SGB) of Roosevelt High School, about a letter that was issued to parents last week regarding detention that will take place on a Friday from 1 pm to 4 pm.

The SGB explained that the letter which stated that any Muslim learner issued with detention must attend as this takes priority over Mosque was sent out in error.

This was corrected by the principal on Sunday when he was made aware of the contents of the letter and another letter was issued to parents and guardians. Muslim learners who need to attend detention may first go to Mosque and then return to the school to complete their detention.

The SGB further explained that a decision was taken to have detention on a Friday as they wanted to clamp down on uniform infringements.

Furthermore, Muslim learners who attend Mosque for Friday prayers are allowed to leave the school premises at 12:20 pm, to allow them sufficient time to get to Mosque.

The DA is pleased that an amicable solution has been found and that no Muslim learner will be denied their right to practice their religion.

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DA to engage with Roosevelt High about learners being deprived of religious rights

Today, Tuesday, 31 January 2023, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Spokesperson for Education, Sergio Isa Dos Santos MPL, will conduct an oversight inspection at Roosevelt High School.

The purpose of the oversight inspection is to ascertain why the school has issued a letter stating that any Muslim learner that has been issued with detention, must attend detention instead of attending Friday prayers (Jummah) at the Mosque on Fridays, as detention takes priority over Muslim’s Friday prayers.

We believe that every learner should respect and adhere to the school code of conduct, but we also believe that the code of conduct should not infringe on learners’ religious rights.

The DA will engage with the school management and the School Governing Body (SGB) to establish a suitable time for these particular learners to attend detention without them missing Friday prayers (Jummah) at Mosque.

Members of the media are invited and there will be an opportunity for photos and interviews.

Details of the oversight inspection are as follows:

Date: 31 January 2023

Venue: Roosevelt High School

Address: 1 Thibault Street, Franklin Roosevelt Park, Randburg

Time: 09:00-10:00

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DA to inspect wetland-stricken Slovoville Primary School as 2023 Academic Year begins

Today, 23rd of January, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL and DA’s Spokeperson for Education, Sergio Dos Santos MPL will conduct an oversight inspection at Slovoville Primary School and Almont Technical High School as part of the DA’s 2023 School Readiness tour.

The oversight inspection aims to assess if the schools have sufficient resources for the 2023 Academic Year and how Slovoville Primary is affected by the water flooding into the school grounds due to the nearby wetland.

Several complaints came to the attention of the DA as learners and teachers are swamped by water on the school premises.

DA will visit the school and engage staff, and the SGB on how this water swamp has affected teaching and learning, and to find the best solution to help Slovoville Primary.

Members of the media are invited and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

The details of the oversight are as follows:

Date: 23 January 2023

Oversight inspection one:
Time: 08:30-09:30
Venue: Slovoville Primary School, 677 Chris Hani Road, Slovoville, Roodepoort, 1725.

Oversight Inspection two:
Time: 10:00-11:00
Venue: Almont Technical High School, Ntloko St, Soweto, Johannnesburg, 1818.

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DA to inspect wetland-stricken Slovoville Primary School as the 2023 Academic Year begins

Monday, 23rd of January, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL and DA’s Spokesperson for Education, Sergio Dos Santos MPL will conduct an oversight inspection at Sloville Primary School and Almont Technical High School as part of the DA’s 2023 School Readiness tour.

The purpose of the oversight inspection is to assess if the schools have sufficient resources for the 2023 Academic Year and how Sloville Primary is affected by the water flooding into the school grounds due to the nearby wetland.

Several complaints came to the attention of the DA as learners and teachers are swamped by water on the school premises.

DA will visit the school and engage staff, and the SGB on how this water swamp has affected teaching and learning, and to find the best solution to help Sloville Primary.

Members of the media are invited and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

The details of the oversight are as follows:

Date: 23 January 2023

Oversight inspection one:
Time: 08:30-09:30
Venue: Sloville Primary School, 677 Chris Hani Road, Slovoville, Roodepoort, 1725.

Oversight Inspection two:
Time: 10:00-11:00
Venue: Almont Technical High School, Ntloko St, Soweto, Johannnesburg, 1818.

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DA takes the 2023 school readiness tour to Alexandra

Today, Thursday, 19 January, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho MPL and DA’s Spokesperson for Education Sergio do Santos MPL, DA’s Constituency Head of Sisonke, Nico de Jager MPL will conduct an oversight inspection at Carter Primary, Dr Knack Primary Schools, and Realogile High School.

The purpose of the oversight inspection is to assess the state of school readiness in Alexandra for the 2023 Academic Year.

School Principals across Gauteng are under extreme stress due to the uncontrollable influx of learners in Grades 1 and 8 while their schools still lack resources.

Many schools are still short of mobile classrooms, stationary and much-needed furniture.

Upon the assessment, the DA will engage the schools and members of the SGB to hear if these schools have enough resources that will assist in maintaining conducive learning and teaching in the 2023 Academic Year.

Members of the media are invited and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

The details of the oversight are as follows:

Date: 19 January 2023

Oversight inspection one:
Venue: Carter Primary school, 4th avenue Alexandra Ward 107
Time: 08:30-09:30

Oversight inspection two:
Venue: Dr Knack Primary School, 10th avenue Alexandra Ward 107.
Time: 10:00-11:00

Oversight inspection three:
Venue: Realogile High School, 15th Avenue Ward 107.
Time: 12:00-13:00