The great school report battle

Cape Flats parents are continuing their battle to get their children’s report cards.

Cape Town - Cape Flats parents on Thursday continued their battle to get their children’s report cards.

Several schools have been withholding report cards for reasons which include non-payment of fees, outstanding books and collection cards that have not been handed in.

This despite the Western Cape Education Department warning schools not to withhold report cards for any reason.

At Portland High in Mitchells Plain, dad Preston Hopkins had to take half the day off from a job he started just last week, to come and make arrangements at the school for the R1 600 he owes in outstanding fees.

The 41-year-old’s daughter is in Grade 11, and up till on Thursday, the anxious father from Lentegeur did not know if he will have a matriculant next year.

Preston said on Thursday: “I came to make arrangements to pay off the money they want for her report.

“My daughter came home (on Wednesday) and phoned me to come to the school.

“I could not take off on Thursday and I can’t afford to take off now. Here is nobody at the school to help me.”

According to a source at the school, parents owing fees were told to be at the school on Saturday, 19 December, to sign an IOU and make arrangements to pay off the outstanding money.

Preston said he will now have to take off even more time at work, since he works on weekends as well.

“I just want my daughter’s results. If she is in matric next year, we need to start preparing,” he says.

On Wednesday, parents at Tuscany Glen High School in Eerste River were also forced to queue for reports.

However, by Thursday afternoon, they had all received their kids’ report cards.

Schools close today, but the WCED have urged parents to contact them to report any problems, on 021 467 2314.

Daily Voice

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