[lg policy] South Africa: Judge orders school to admit teacher’s son

[Harold Schiffman]

Judge orders school to admit teacher’s son
news/crime-courts <http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts> /
29 January 2016 at 21:53pm
*By:* *NOELENE BARBEAU*

Durban - A Durban teacher has gone to court to compel the school where she
taught for 14 years, to enrol her son into Grade 9, arguing the deputy
principal “harboured ill feelings” towards her and prejudiced her child.

In papers before the Durban High Court, the teacher, who cannot be named to
protect the child’s identity, said the principal of the eManzimtoti school
declined to overrule the deputy principal’s decision because he did not
want to take sides.

“I have argued with the principal that as he is in charge of the school, he
needs to step in where rules and policies of the school are not being
consistently applied. It is not correct for him to simply fold his hands
and allow injustice to take place at his school,” her affidavit read.

Acting Judge Andrea Gabriel granted an order this week for the youngster to
be immediately admitted to Grade 9.

She also ordered the principal, deputy principal and governing body
chairman to pay the costs of the application.

The teacher said she had completed the necessary application forms in 2014.

“Having taught at the school I was aware that the deputy principal was in
charge of admissions.”

She delivered the forms and was apparently told by the deputy principal
there was no space available last year and suggested she bring in her child
at the start of this year.

Heeding this advice, the mother enrolled her son at a school nearby, but
pointed out that the school’s language of instruction was English, while
the school in question taught in Zulu.

She kept in contact throughout last year because she was unhappy about her
child being at the other school. The mom insisted the deputy principal told
her to bring the youngster in this year.

In October she said the deputy principal “changed her tune”.

She apparently informed her the school would not admit her child because he
was an English first language speaker and the school was a Zulu first
language school.

She said in the years she had taught at the school, no such language policy
applied, but was referred to the school’s Zulu language teacher.

The teacher apparently dismissed the deputy principal’s sentiments and the
mom believed the situation was resolved.

However, her anguish continued when the deputy principal informed her
earlier this month that there was no space and her child could not be
admitted.

Her attorney sent the school a letter demanding her son be enrolled and, if
not, to provide reasons, within 24 hours. There was no response.

The principal later said the challenge in admitting her son was “deeply
rooted in the personal differences” that existed between the women.

He suggested a meeting where they could reconcile. The deputy principal
apparently refused.

With the assurance she was earlier given about her child’s admission, the
mom had already informed her son’s previous school he would not be
returning, and he missed out on valuable lessons.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/judge-orders-school-to-admit-teachers-son-1977624


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