Home News Education dept places Kakamas High School under administration

Education dept places Kakamas High School under administration

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Parents closed the gates of Kakamas High School in Kakamas on Tuesday as the school is unable to pay salaries or its accounts while it has no money to function.

Kakamas High School. Picture supplied

Parents closed the gates of Kakamas High School in Kakamas on Tuesday as the school is unable to pay salaries or its accounts while it has no money to function.

Parents stated that no June exams were being written as there is no money to purchase paper and ink.

“Teachers have to buy supplies including paper and ink with their own money while the future of Grade 12 pupils are at stake as they are not able to write the mid-year exams. The feeding scheme and internet is not operating. The salaries of school governing body member posts are not being paid. How can the department expect a school to function without funds?”

As of May the school owes almost R154,000 in respect of security, its municipal account, Gestetner, administration and financial official’s salaries.

The outstanding account owed to Kai! Garib municipality amounts to R23,203.73.

Spokesperson for the Northern Cape Department of Education Geoffrey van der Merwe on Tuesday said they were “deeply concerned about the current situation” at Kakamas High School.

“Pupils are unable to write examinations due to a shortage of stationery and paper. This school continues to find itself in financial distress, which has a negative impact on the quality of learning and teaching.”

He stated that the district office had intervened and purchased stationery as well as paper for the school, so that pupils could write their examinations.

“All schools receive an allocation from the department annually to purchase these necessities from their own coffers.”

Van der Merwe added that the department had concluded its investigation on the allegations of mismanagement of school funds.

“We are awaiting the outcome of the forensic investigation before we commence with disciplinary procedures. In order to stabilise the current situation at the school, the department has taken the decision to place this school under administration, until we are satisfied that all matters as it relates to the management of the school, has completely normalised and all challenges have been addressed at Kakamas High School.”

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