The Democratic Alliance (DA) condemns in the strongest terms the actions by the Principal of Madisong Secondary School in Hammanskraal for allegedly chasing away learners for failing to bring a donation of a ream of paper to the school.
The DA will write to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) requesting that they institute an investigation into this matter, specifically on why learners were deliberately denied their right to education by the Principal.
I will also be tabling questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to ascertain reasons why learners were told to bring a ream of paper and why those who failed to bring paper were chased away from school. In addition, the Provincial Education Department must give clarity on the money allocated for Learner Teacher Support Material (LTSM) at the school this year.
It is totally unacceptable for learners to be denied access to learning because their parents cannot afford to buy a ream of paper.
While some learners managed to bring a ream of paper each, others were unable to do so because their parents did not have money to buy the paper.
Madisong Secondary School is a no fee-paying school which means that the government is financing almost all the necessities needed at the school.
The no-fee school policy was implemented to bridge inequalities in the South African education system to ensure that those who have and those who do not have are both afforded quality education.
Access to basic education is the fundamental right as enshrined by the Constitution. Any deliberate attempts to infringe on this right, should be resisted and those implicated, held accountable.