16/01/2025
Today, ANC MPLs in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, Cde Nomi Nkondlo and Cde Rachel Windvogel, along with , met with concerned parents of Grade 12 pupils at Ceres Secondary School. These are parents who have tried all efforts just to request a meeting with the School Principal, the School Management and School Governing Body, but were repeatedly ignored. They went further to escalate their outcry to the Premier Alan Winde and have been ignored
These parents wish to put their case to the school on their decision to host a Matric Ball early in the year in March 2025, than the tradition by most schools of later in the year. They believe this decision was not sufficiently consulted, nor takes into account the socioeconomic realities of most parents, who are farmworkers and depends on the seasonal work, which at this point would provide some wages now in February after the festive season. It is for this reason These parents request just an engagement to plead their case, so with the school a favorable consensus could be found.
They resorted to bring the matter to the attention of the public representative who is placed in the ANC Parliamentary Constituency Office, PCO, Honorable Nomi Nkondlo, who then invited Honorable Rachel Windvogel, a member of the Standing Committee on Education to come listen, and help in resolving the impasse.
It is rather shocking and unfortunate that this school and its management are refusing these parents their Constitutionsl right to be heard, and allowed to participate in the affairs of their children let alone the decision-making in the school, as dictated by the spirit of the Schools Act. What kind of school governance ignores these basic rights, and are allowed by the Western Cape Education Department including the Premier, whilst they make public claims of caring for citizens, and leading a well-runned province?
The ANC public representatives will engage with the relevant authorities including the Circuit Manager, the School Governing Body, and representatives of the affected Grade 12 parents to find a plausible resolution to this matter.
There can never be a productive learning environment when there's hostility between major stakeholders in a school especially parents and teachers. So we ask the school and its management to give these parents audience on their concerns, so the matter is resolved harmoniously.
End
Ward Councillor Andile Gili - Ward 1
ANC Witzenberg
