Parents withdraw children in protest

FIFTY-THREE of the 76 children enrolled at CS Primary School at Snyfontein settlement in the Berseba constituency have been withdrawn by their parents in protest against the principal, Sofia April.

The parents demanded that April be fired, accusing her of misappropriating school hostel money. They also accused April of nepotism, claiming she only employs her relatives at the school hostel. The parents registered their complaints with the regional education directorate at the beginning of January, and vowed to change their stance only when April is removed from her position. At the beginning of the current academic year parents wanted to lock out April from the school premises, but backtracked when the Police’s Special Reserve Force intervened. Since their withdrawal on Monday, the pupils are being taught by an unqualified volunteer teacher in a local church building. Sources indicated that the volunteer teacher had dropped out of school at Grade 8 level. The acting Karas education regional director, Cecilia Mostert, yesterday said that the parents’ complaints were being investigated and the outcome should be known by the end of this month. Mostert said some financial records requested from April were still outstanding.She was not impressed with the parents’ decision to withdraw their children. ‘It is basically beyond our understanding why the parents opted to take their children from the school.’ Mostert argued that the parents could have allowed the investigation to take its course.’I am not sure what they are being taught. At the end it’s the children who are suffering.’ Saying there is a law which guarantees children the right to education, Mostert remarked: ‘They [parents] are not abiding by the law.’ The school staff consists of a secretary, three teachers and an institutional worker.

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