KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka.
DURBAN - The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has once again refuted allegations that Addington Primary School in Durban prioritises foreign pupils and sidelines South African children.
MEC for Education Sipho Hlomuka visited the school on Thursday as part of the department’s oversight to monitor pupils’ admissions.
This comes after March on March and its leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma have held protests outside the school demanding that South African children be prioritised in admission. Claims have also been made that the principal and majority of his staff were foreign nationals.
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“Those allegations are false, those who peddle these lies do so knowingly, and knowing that they are putting innocent lives at risk,” Hlomuka said.
He said the school had provided evidence that of the 1 548 pupils, 968 were South African while only 580 were foreign nationals.
“The school has enrolled 17 undocumented learners, again 12 are South African and only 5 are foreign nationals.”
Hlomuka said the department had made arrangement for 11 Grade 1 pupils who have not yet been placed to be accommodated at a nearest ECD centre at a reduced rate.
He said as it stands, there is a list of 15 to 21 pupils that still need to be placed.
“We empathise with the parents; however, we do not condone or encourage the method that has left teachers and learners in trauma,” Hlomuka said.