The Western Cape Education Department has accused parents of exploiting their kids at an illegal school held under trees in Eerste River.
Education MEC Debbie Schäfer’s spokesperson Kerry Mauchline said this in reaction to a protest yesterday where pupils blocked Old Faure Road and demanded to be placed in proper schools.
The children at the Empumelelweni Primary School took their chairs and placed them on the busy road, chanting struggle songs as they blocked traffic and redirected motorists.
UNREST: Parents blame WCED for failing to recognise their illegal school. Video: Mandilakhe Tshwete
The department says this is just a ploy to try and force them to hire new teachers, as parents have refused to be assisted by the WCED.
The school sprung up earlier this year after parents demanded a new school, saying they can’t afford to send their kids to schools in other areas.
“It was agreed to that discussions would continue about the possible need for another school in the area, but this would be a long-term matter,” Mauchline said.
“It seems that a number of individuals are willing to continue to exploit children by demanding that this illegal school be recognised.
“Their demands continue to relate to the employment of educators at the illegal school.
“Instead of allowing the learners to be placed at a legal school with all the necessary resources and support, the children are now being held as ransom for the demands of these individuals.”
Parent Thobeka Velelo says the protest was about the WCED’s lack of communication.
“They keep telling us that within two days there will be a school for the children and then when we follow up there is no answer,” she said.
“Every time they come and ask for the list of the learners and tell us that they have been placed and still they are not in school.
“We have more than 600 learners in this school and they are all not placed. And that is the reason for the demonstration.”
But Mauchline says the WCED has done everything to try and assist.
“After scrutinising the lists, it turns out that there are in fact only 336 unique learners involved in this site, and not the 600+ that was claimed by various organisations and people.
“Of the 336, (a total of) 218 of the learners are already registered at a school.
“Of the 117 that remained unplaced last week, the WCED has arranged to accommodate these learners.
“If a parent would like the department to place their child, then they must please contact the district to confirm their placement. We will gladly assist.”