The Western Cape Education Department is investigating an unregistered school in Kraaifontein. Picture: Mandilakhe Tshwete
THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is investigating two schools that are not registered in the Kraaifontein area.
This after activists demanded the closure of a school operating from an RDP house without registration.
Champion Student Private School in Fukuze Street, Wallacedene, Kraaifontein has six classrooms with more than 30 learners.
Each child is charged R200 to R250 per month for tuition.
ANC Member of the Provincial Legislature Benson Ngqentsu said they found out about the school during an oversight visit in the area and informed the department.
“A principal alerted us about it and said part of their challenge was that there is a crisis of learners from unregistered schools.
“He also said when they are processing the applications they contact the parents to verify some facts but they end up cutting the call. We visited three unregistered schools in the Kraaifontein area.”
He described the condition of the schools as ‘horrible’.
“The small classrooms are overcrowded. When the learners move around they have to jump on tables. What about the ablution facilities, are they compliant with the law of this country?”
Ngqentsu said the school ought to be closed immediately.
“The inquiry has to be broadened to other areas.”
Founder and principal, Trust Mafara, 38, said he started tutoring in 2020 and then opened an aftercare and a school.
“I came from Zimbabwe in 2019 and couldn’t get a job as a teacher. I then decided to do this. I am a qualified foundation phase teacher.
“I have tried to get the papers with a committee in Kraaifontein and then I also spoke to the Department but I never got anything positive from it.
“The children who are in this school are those who were unplaced and their parents brought them here instead of letting them sit at home, doing nothing.”
He said he is renting the house and he decided to run the school with his wife.
“We then extended, and had unemployed teachers to help us. We would like to be registered and move to a bigger space because here, the children have no space to play.”
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said they were recently made aware of two schools that are currently not registered.
“The relevant directorate has been notified and they have indicated that they will investigate. We do not have specific details at this stage on ages or numbers. This is to be investigated.
“According to the South Africa Schools Act any person may establish an independent school and must register such a school with the Provincial Education Department. If not registered, such institutions are deemed as illegal.”
Vanessa Le Roux, the founder of Parents for Equal Education South Africa (PEESA) said: “As the department, they should have closed it down the moment they heard about the school because you put the children in danger. It’s a health and safety risk.”
Cape Times
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