Challenges for Witteklip Secondary pupils as exams move to Westcliff
Trials and finals around the corner
One of the worst performing schools in the Umlazi district last year, weas Witteklip Secondary School with a 47% pass rate.
Image: File
THE matric pupils at Witteklip Secondary School in Chatsworth have been informed that they have to write their trial and final year examinations at Westcliff Secondary, a 30 minute walk away.
Vee Gani, the chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Parents Association, said the Witteklip Secondary School Governing Body (SGB) had notified him that the decision was made by the Department of Education (DoE) in KwaZulu-Natal and the pupils had to report to the Westcliff Secondary on August 4.
He said among the reasons were poor academic performance and teacher absenteeism.
“The DoE is trying to get the pupils up to speed for their up-coming exams. However, travelling to Westcliff Secondary is difficult considering the distance. Transportation will become expensive. Choosing a nearer school would have been a better option, but that is something the parents have to ask the department," said Gani.
"The SGB told me the pupils were told to report to Westcliff Secondary on August 4 and if not, they would be deregistered. As far as I know, the pupils have not left yet,” said Gani.
Thirona Moodley, the Provincial Chief Executive of the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), said: “If there are problems at Witteklip, it is the department's responsibility to fix the problems and not put a band aid on it. The problems cited are within the purview of the department to fix. This movement is irregular and unprecedented."
The SGB and the school's principal declined to comment. The KZN DoE had not responded at the time of publication.
The trial exams will start in September and the National Senior Certificate examination in October.