Pretoria – The Gauteng Department of Education says it remains committed to resolving challenges at Roodepoort Primary School and addressing concerns raised by any structure or community members.
The department said this on Tuesday following concerns raised by the Davidson Community Forum (DCF) at their press briefing earlier on in the day.
The department said when it reached an agreement with the community to reopen the school, issues relating to safety and security, governance and administration, race and diversity, and a catch up plan for time lost in teaching and learning during the school disruptions would be addressed.
For safety and security, the department said it had deployed 24-hour, armed guards at the school.
“Access to the school is strictly regulated. The community participates in the safety and security committee established to look into matters of safety,” the department said.
The department also said retired Principal from Gouda Primary School, Olga Da Silva, has been appointed to mentor the school management team in general management protocols and sound governance procedures and processes. Da Silva has met with the team to outline how the programme will unfold.
The department said a race and diversity workshop was held on 18 and 19 September 2015 with educators after the reopening of the school, but not all educators attended these workshops.
Catch up plan
“An audit of curriculum backlogs was conducted and a plan developed. The catch up plan was implemented from 14 September 2015 and it entailed an additional hour in the morning to teach mathematics on Monday and Tuesday, English on Wednesday and Thursday, and dedicated Friday to assessment.
“On the matter regarding lessons during the current school holidays, the department engaged both the educators and their unions. The view by educators was that the extra hour allocated for catch up would be sufficient,” said the department.
Parents have also raised the issue of educators who have not been paid.
“These are educators hired by the School Governing Body (SGB) and not the department. The district is working with the school to resolve this.
“The department has retained one member of the Mediation Committee to remain at the school to assist with the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee,” said the department. - SAnews.gov.za
