Some parents at a primary school in Bothasig say they are upset that their children are not allowed onto the school premises before 07:30 at the start of the new school day, and that their children are forced to wait on the side of the road.
One parent who spoke to TygerBurger on the basis of anonymity says Wolraad Woltemade Primary School in Adam Tas Drive, Bothasig, only opens their gate at 07:30 and that the children are left standing on the pavements unsupervised.
She claims the parents have complained about it, but that the principal had apparently informed them that teachers only start work at 07:40, therefore the gates will only be opened at 07:30.
“This could be the only school in the Western Cape that does this and they have security guards that open the gates anyway, but who do not watch the children,” the parent says.
The parents want to remain anonymous because of the possibility of retribution towards their children.
“This has been going on since Covid-19 started. Before Covid the gates were opened at 07:00, but because of the pandemic and screening they decided to have the gates opened at 07:30 for social distancing purposes. Since schools have gone back to normal without social distancing, Wolraad has continued with just that one rule.”
The parent says gates are however opened earlier on rainy days.
“So that is why we cannot understand why the gates cannot be opened at 07:00 every day.”
Another resident who spoke to the newspaper on the basis of anonymity as well, confirmed that the gates only open at 07:30 and that this was done last year as well during the pandemic. The resident, whose grand daughter attends the school, also confirmed that they were informed that teaching staff only work from 07:40.
“Some of the children are small in Grade R. It is chaotic in the morning. We even had traffic there taking pictures once. The children stand outside all the time and now they want to charge the kids R20 an hour to get inside.”
The resident says the fee started recently.
“Where must people get R20 per child per hour? And you must pay upfront. How can they do that? People do not have money.
“Those with cars can still sit outside in the cars. Those who have to work will have to drop their children otherwise they will be late.”
The resident says some children get dropped off before 07:00.
“Some at 06:30, and others at 06:45. How come have they decided that the teachers do not have to look after them? Now you have to worry if you drop the child outside and they stand there, are they safe? Something should be done about it,” the resident says.
A third parent who spoke, says her child gets dropped at 07:00.
“They basically stand alone from that time onwards. From a safety perspective you do not know what is going on, that is a concern for me.
“There was a message some time ago of a lady being there that can take care of them, but nothing came of that.
“In our situation you are not going to pay an extra R20 to get into school, the kids need to get into school, we pay school fees.”
The parent says with schools operating as normal, she does not mind her children going to school every day, but she just wants them to open the gates at 07:00.
“Just let them go into school, they do not have to go into the building. Now they are standing on the side of the road with cars passing,” the parent says.
Millicent Merton, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), responded to questions sent to the department regarding the matter at Wolraad Woltemade last week.
“Children cannot be allowed on the school premises without supervision. The school does not have the resources available to ensure supervision for children at 06:30 in the morning. Morning care services are offered in the community,” she says.
Merton says the school received complaints from four parents.
“The school accommodated the parents by making the aftercare facilities available in the morning where a parent volunteers to supervise the learners at a fee. The volunteer is willing to make arrangements with parents regarding the fee,” Merton explains.
Elaine Kesten, school principal, told the newspaper that principals do not respond to the media and that a response should come via the WCED or the chair of the school governing body (SGB).
Kesten indicated that she has forwarded the media’s questions to the SGB chair, Steve Cloete.
