Kalk Bay principal refuses boy his report
17 January 2008, 12:09
Fourteen-year-old Wesley Oliver of Mitchell's Plain could not enrol in a high school this year because the principal of the primary school he attended in Kalk Bay last year has not yet released his report.
"The principal said I must first pay R2 000 in outstanding school fees before I can get the report," said Latetia Oliver, an out-of-work mother of three.
She moved from Kalk Bay about a year ago and now lives with her family in a wendy house in a Tafelsig back yard.
Greg Gordon, who is the principal of the St James Roman Catholic Primary School in Kalk Bay, was heard saying to the receptionist that he was "not available" when a Cape Argus reporter phoned to speak to him on Wednesday.
He did not return the call, nor did he respond to either of two messages left by the Cape Argus.
Gert Witbooi, spokesperson for Education MEC Cameron Dugmore, said the Education Department would charge him with misconduct if he was withholding a report because school fees were unpaid.
"If the boy's mother went to see the principal and tried to make arrangements or explain the situation, it was his duty to explain her right to apply to be exempted from paying the fees," said Witbooi.
He added that the department would assist Wesley to get into a high school as soon as possible.
Witbooi said Wesley would be enrolled in school this week or by Monday morning at the latest.
The family's plight was reported to the Cape Argus by former teacher Tina Myburgh of Kalk Bay, who said that earlier this week she had driven Latetia and Wesley from Kalk Bay to Mitchells Plain after Latetia had tried unsuccessfully to plead with Gordon to release her son's report.
"The family does not have a fridge, a stove or cupboards in their wendy house, yet Latetia has managed to pay R400 for school uniforms for the children," said Myburgh.
"I confronted Gordon at the school and asked him if he was aware that it is unlawful to withhold a child's report because of outstanding fees.
"He said it was not my business and refused to discuss the matter.
I said it was my business because if he has broken the law, then it is my right to be concerned with the matter," said Myburgh.
Latetia said she had owed the fees since Wesley, who finished Grade 7 last year, was in Grade 5.
"I told Mr Gordon I would try to pay, if he would just give me Wesley's report. He said no, the school fees had to be paid first."
She had lost her job as a machinist when she was forced to stay at home because her children were ill.
The family's only income was money from her grandmother, but her husband had started a new job on Wednesday and their financial situation might improve, she explained.
In the meantime, Wesley was staying at home because the high schools in Mitchells Plain had refused to enrol him without the required school report and transfer certificate.
"I want to go to school," said Wesley.
"I must get my report, then I will go to school."
"The principal said I must first pay R2 000 in outstanding school fees before I can get the report," said Latetia Oliver, an out-of-work mother of three.
She moved from Kalk Bay about a year ago and now lives with her family in a wendy house in a Tafelsig back yard.
Greg Gordon, who is the principal of the St James Roman Catholic Primary School in Kalk Bay, was heard saying to the receptionist that he was "not available" when a Cape Argus reporter phoned to speak to him on Wednesday.
He did not return the call, nor did he respond to either of two messages left by the Cape Argus.
Gert Witbooi, spokesperson for Education MEC Cameron Dugmore, said the Education Department would charge him with misconduct if he was withholding a report because school fees were unpaid.
"If the boy's mother went to see the principal and tried to make arrangements or explain the situation, it was his duty to explain her right to apply to be exempted from paying the fees," said Witbooi.
He added that the department would assist Wesley to get into a high school as soon as possible.
Witbooi said Wesley would be enrolled in school this week or by Monday morning at the latest.
The family's plight was reported to the Cape Argus by former teacher Tina Myburgh of Kalk Bay, who said that earlier this week she had driven Latetia and Wesley from Kalk Bay to Mitchells Plain after Latetia had tried unsuccessfully to plead with Gordon to release her son's report.
"The family does not have a fridge, a stove or cupboards in their wendy house, yet Latetia has managed to pay R400 for school uniforms for the children," said Myburgh.
"I confronted Gordon at the school and asked him if he was aware that it is unlawful to withhold a child's report because of outstanding fees.
"He said it was not my business and refused to discuss the matter.
I said it was my business because if he has broken the law, then it is my right to be concerned with the matter," said Myburgh.
Latetia said she had owed the fees since Wesley, who finished Grade 7 last year, was in Grade 5.
"I told Mr Gordon I would try to pay, if he would just give me Wesley's report. He said no, the school fees had to be paid first."
She had lost her job as a machinist when she was forced to stay at home because her children were ill.
The family's only income was money from her grandmother, but her husband had started a new job on Wednesday and their financial situation might improve, she explained.
In the meantime, Wesley was staying at home because the high schools in Mitchells Plain had refused to enrol him without the required school report and transfer certificate.
"I want to go to school," said Wesley.
"I must get my report, then I will go to school."
- This article was originally published on page 6 of The Cape Argus on January 17, 2008
