Roodepoort Primary School to be closed indefinitely

17 April 2015

The MEC for Education in Gauteng, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, has taken a decision to close Roodepoort Primary School indefinitely. This is due to the continuous disruption of schooling in the area.

The MEC has strongly condemned the behaviour of the community members who are disrupting schooling. “I have extended my hand to this community several times, what is happening now is provocation beyond endurance”, the MEC said. He further said that such behaviour is unnecessary and has a negative impact on learners as they are losing valuable classroom time.

He indicated that the department will approach the South Gauteng High Court to seek an interdict against the community members who are disrupting school. The interdict will prevent them from “perpetrating any acts which are violent and disruptive in nature” against the learners and or employees of the department.

The MEC urges parents of learners at Roodepoort Primary to place their children at neighbouring schools such as Princess Primary School, Culembeek Primary, and Laer Skool Die Ruiter. The Johannesburg West District Office will be at hand to assist these parents with the placement of these learners.

The Department has set up operational centres for parents who want to enquire about placement of learners at alternative schools. These are located at the Davidsonville Community Hall in Roodepoort, Matholeville Community Hall in Roodepoort, as well as Mezodo Technical School in Dobsonville. The centres will be operational from 20 April 2015, the operating hours will be between 09H00 – 12h00.

The Department will not tolerate any form of lawlessness and will deploy law enforcement agencies to the school to deal decisively with anyone who seeks to cause anarchy at the school.

Statement issued by Gauteng Department of Education’s spokesperson, Phumla Sekhonyane, April 17 2015

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