Alberton Matric Project parents want answers
Parent says the Gauteng Department of Education is refusing to release the results.
“WE are in for a big fight with the Alberton Matric Project, Marais Viljoen High School and the Gauteng Department of Education,” a frustrated mother told the RECORD.
With her son ready to apply to join either the police or the defence force in order to gain the two years work experience he needs to enter the world of forensic investigation, the desperate family visited the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), on Wednesday, January 18, in an effort to get answers about the school’s matric results being held back.
“We really need my son’s results. Applications are closing at the end of January,” the mother said.
All her visit to the GDE revealed was that the department found irregularities. The school did not apparently meet all the requirements in terms of the right amount of projects and tests and the department is now refusing to release the results.
“Another parent told me that the school has been instructed by the department to draw up three-hour exam papers as well as an assignment for each of the five subjects, which the children now need to write again. These must apparently first be moderated by die department before the children can write them.
“From what I understand, the school is refusing to do this and is blaming the department,” she said.
Parents also want to know why the school can’t face the parents and tell them what is going on because all they have to go on is hearsay.
“We have absolutely no feedback from the school or department except that we have to wait and that they are working on the problem,” another irritated parent said. “The school owes it to us and our children to be upfront and clear about the problems and reasons for this delay.”
The RECORD made contact with the principal of Marais Viljoen High, Martie Heystek, and she said that the school is communicating with parents via SMS,
“We will let each learner know what they need to do in order to get their results. This will happen within the next three weeks and results will definitely be available by the end of February.
“Should a learner want to go to a tertiary institution, the school will supply a letter to such institution stating that learners should be allowed, in the interim,” Heystek said.
The RECORD forwarded questions to the GDE on Tuesday, January 17, and contacted the department again on Wednesday, January 18, to find out when comment can be expected. A new set of questions to verify the allegations about the new exam papers and assignments was also sent through on Wednesday and receipt of our emails was confirmed with the GDE telephonically.
No comment had been received at the time of going to press.
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