From the news desk

Parents up in arms over graduation rules

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As the final 2014 school year comes to an end, parents at Disa primary school in Hout Bay were met with disappointment after they were hoping to share the last celebrations with their children at the school graduation ceremony on Tuesday. But one parent who was looking forward to seeing her child graduate was told that she could not enter the premises as they were not invited and were late.

A disgruntled Veronica Hendricks said she took the day off from work in order to see her little girl graduate and to the share the moment with her. But when she arrived at the school, she along with a few other parents were told they cannot come in.

“The secretary told us that if our children didn’t bring an invite for us to attend, then it means that our children are not getting an award. I don’t live with my child due to the fact that I work to far away from home, perhaps I didn’t get a letter but I didn’t get a chance to explain myself,” said Hendricks.

She said last year all the parents were allowed to attend the graduation. This, she said, angered the other parents some of who had an invite in their possession who was still not allowed in because they were late.

“I am very upset and emotional, what if my daughter gets a diploma and I am not there to see her get a diploma or graduate?” said an upset Hendricks.

She claims that not only was she treated unfairly but she was also ridiculed by some of the school’s staff. Despite calling on the principal to come and address them, they were turned away.

VOC has been trying to call the school but has been unable to track down the school principal.

The school has however published a newsletter on its website stating the conditions of entry to the school on the awards ceremony, which the WCED has confirmed.

The newsletter which the department said was sent to all parents’ states only 5 parents from every class in the school will be allowed to attend the awards ceremony per invite only, due to the limited space in the school hall.

Furthermore it states that no parents will be allowed to enter the premises after 8:45am, which this parent had failed to do. VOC (Imogen Vollenhoven)


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