Impasses marred Segolela High School

Sywerfontein

Parents and concerned community members are in loggerheads with principal of Segolola High School at Sywerfontein Village outside Groblersdal in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality (EMLM) Ward 18 over.

The tension erupted when the school Principal Ms Motau demanded learners to contribute R100-00 each which she said will be going to be used to purchase a new photocopy machine.

The old photocopy machine was destroyed when the school was gutted by fire earlier last year.

Segolela is a no fee rural school catering about 400 pupils with the majority of community members living below the poverty line.

Following the principal’s instruction, many parents refused to pay, stating that they could not afford as many of them survive through social grants while also having more than three children attending the same school.

The principal started returning home those who did not pay the contribution while others who did not pay were refused to be given their third term school reports.

Following the actions, parents, joined by members of Economic Freedom Fighters, went on a rampage and protested at the school’s premises. They were demanding the principal to reverse her payment decision and refund parents who already paid the amount.

EFF Workers Committee Convener in Sekhukhune Region, Mooiman Mosotho, said they intervened to seek justice for the parents against the school principal.

“This is a no fee school and it is against the policies of the Department of Education to demand money from parents,” he said.

Mosotho indicated that the party escalated the matter to the circuit and district level, however, no actions were taken against the principal.

According to Mosotho, during parents meetings, it was resolved that donations should be raised towards the purchasing of the new photocopy machine, however, Motau rejected the resolutions insisting that parents should pay.

“These drastic steps were taken because the matter is a clear contravention of human rights. We cannot allow children to be treated in a manner in which their schooling rights are violated,” he said.

Mosotho said the party will escalate the matter to the provincial level until the issue is resolved.

Mike Maringa, Limpopo Department of Education (LDoE) Spokesperson, said they have investigated with the local circuit and district offices and find that the allegations are baseless.

Maringa encouraged parents who have proof of the payment to contact their offices.