Member of the executive council for education in North West province Mmaphefo Matsemela has warned school principals against withholding learners’ yearend report cards.
Matsemela made the call in the wake of the education department getting calls from parents who say schools are refusing to release report cards, mainly over unpaid fees.
“No learner should be without their yearend academic report for any reason what so ever … The South African Schools Act says that no learner should be deprived of their right to participate fully in school programmes, this includes receiving a report card,” she said.
“This regulation applies both to public and independent schools from Grade R-12. Failure to adhere to this is a gross violation of the law.”
The 2019 academic calendar draws to a close on December 6 and schools will reopen in the new year on January 15.
Matsemela further called on parents whose children had been placed on waiting lists for school places in 2020 to visit admission hubs that have been established across the province in order to receive speedy assistance.
“The department has noted with concern that that some of the challenges encountered with learner placements is that parents want schools of their choice for learners such as English medium schools irrespective of the proximity,” she said.
-ANA, editing by Stella Mapenzauswa
