Posh school forced to close
Alet Rademeyer, Beeld
Pretoria - Rugby personality Naas Botha is one of several parents from Pretoria who are angry and disappointed about the sudden closure of a private school attended by one of his daughters.
The Skills for Life Academy was established last year and accommodated about 100 pupils suffering from hyperactivity and attention deficit syndrome.
The school was finally liquidated last week and parents were informed about it by means of SMS on Friday.
Many parents are angry, saying they don't know where to send their children.
In addition, exams were supposed to have started in three weeks' time.
Parents were informed by the liquidators at an emergency meeting on Monday that they had to pay up R830 000 to prevent the immediate closure of the school.
Parents 'don't know what to do'
One of the parents, on condition of anonymity, said it was terrible to watch the upset pupils removing their private belongings. She said the school's financial problems didn't make sense, as school fees were about R2 350 a month.
Parents were informed about "cash flow" problems in June and they were called upon to pay an additional R5 000 to "save" the school.
Riaan du Preez, father of Stefan, a Grade 7 pupil, said the school's closure was devastating. "My son played Playstation the whole day on Monday. We are in the dark as to what we have to do with him. He must attend high school next year. We don't even know if the education department would issue a certificate."
Botha was also upset. His daughter, Kyla, attends the school. "I'm very disappointed. We helped wherever we could to collect money for the school by means of projects. I cannot comment on the management of the school, but the school really offered a fantastic solution to our children."
Esme Taljaard, owner of the school, said the school was liquidated because the expenses exceeded the income. She said the parents knew about the school's financial dilemma, yet only 40% of them reacted to the request to pay an additional R5 000.
"I'm not a financial wizard, but I have a passion to help these children. My own child, who attended the school, now has nowhere to go."
She said the school did not function royally. The biggest expenses were the salaries of the 17 teachers and rent for the premises. The school had a rental contract that would have expired at the end of December. Taljaard said the rent was initially R20 000, but had gradually increased to more than R50 000, which exacerbated the financial problems.
According to Taljaard an advisory committee consisting of 13 members, including parents, was responsible for the financial management of the school.
She said she was negotiating with the Gauteng education department about the issuing of certificates.
News source: www.news24.co.za
Posted by: www.SouthAfrica-CarHire.com
Education is the most important aspect of a child's life - make a plan!
Click Click... Vroom, Vroom
