Community leaders and residents demanded clarity on the finances at Vukukhanye Primary School.
Learning and teaching was abruptly interrupted at Vukukhanye Primary School in Gugulethu when community leaders and residents demanded answers about what they say are vague and unclear school financial statements.
The protesters shut the school gates on Monday March 4, arguing that some income which the school receives through fund-raising and renting their hall to churches and private organisations does not reflect on the school’s financial statement.
They also accused the school principal of failing to follow proper procedure when hiring people at the school.
One community leader, who asked not to be named as she feared for her safety, said this matter started last week Thursday when the school together with the school governing body (SGB) presented unsatisfactory financial statements.
She said they were not handed out statements for their own perusal but it was read to them and even then it still made no sense. She said the meeting was therefore adjourned for Sunday.
However, she said the SGB did not attend the meeting but a screen shot from the SGB WhatsApp group was leaked to the community's Facebook group indicating that there was indeed mismanagement of funds which is why they opted to interrupt schooling on Monday.
“At the last meeting we had on Thursday we were told that parents must pay R300 for a surf walk. That is how we questioned the previous fundraising monies parents paid; where it did go?
“When they read the school financial statement there is nothing that says we have used this amount for maintenance of the school or changed school locks. It is unclear on how the money is being used.
“The money parents pay for fundraising does not indicate what it has been used for. When we ask the principal about the money made from hiring out the school hall, he tells us that he does not know who is responsible for that money.
“We want to get a clear picture of the school's financial matters and ensure that the process of hiring people in the school is done in a professional manner,” she said.
Department of education spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond, confirmed that there was picketing at the school and said they have engaged with the SGB and will proceed with an investigation into the alleged mismanagement.
Ms Hammond said it is unfortunate that teaching and learning was disrupted.
The department, she said, is always willing to engage in a constructive manner. Following a meeting with the SGB, she said it was agreed that the SGB would put their complaints in writing and that there will be no further disruptions to schooling.
Member of the SGB, Joyce Ngcikwe, agreed that the school’s financial statements are not clear and sound and there might be a mismanagement of funds.
Ms Ngcikwe said there are funds which are not accounted for and therefore they have asked the department to conduct an investigation. She said at the moment they cannot provide a concrete or a solid comment about the school’s financial matters.
She said they wanted this matter to be handled carefully so that the community and parents can be clear about the school’s matters.
She said their term as the SGB has come to an end and wanted to be able to give a sound report about their tenure.
She, however, dismissed accusations that the principal and the SGB had not followed due process when hiring people at the school or that there was nepotism.