I want to write an open letter to parents of matriculants. I was at my son’s matric farewell of Marais Viljoen on October 12 at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, no less!
The cars, the dresses, the whole circus of opulence! It is out of control!
While Oratile (a 17-year-old boy, who should have been in matric, whose mom died and he was chased out the shack by thugs), died at Randhart Spar two weeks ago from hunger. A total of R65 000 was spent by one parent on her daughter’s matric farewell, while another boasts R7 000 only for her daughters make up. I fail to see the justification for that.
Newspapers, like yourself, publishing all the pictures, and schools booking it at places like Gallagher Estate, are enabling this behaviour from parents and children.
Matric farewell is not an achievement for children or parents or schools. Their marks at the end of the year, that is an achievement! Matric farewell should be done at school, in school uniforms and the parents should be present since they are the ones getting the children to where they are.
Imagine just the one child’s matric farewell could have fed three children daily at the Hope Southhills Children’s Home for more than one year.
Please think before you do!
Ina
Comment from Martie Heystek, principal of Marais Viljoen High:
In reply to the some of the issues as raised by Ina in her letter to the Alberton RECORD, the following:
Marais Viljoen has been using the Gallagher Estate facility for the past few years out of necessity because of the number of matrics and teachers attending the matric farewell. Other schools use facilities as their numbers dictate and as facilities are available in their respective areas.
Similar to other schools, Marais Viljoen teachers or the governing body has no control as to the amount of money parents/guardians are willing and able to spend on their child’s matric farewell.
The attendance of the matric farewell is not compulsory for any learner or teacher and each learner (and his parents/guardians) can decide if he or she wants to attend.
Comment from the RECORD
While we welcome Ina’s letter to the RECORD, we would like to remind our readers that we cover local news and therefore events hosted by our local schools.
The RECORD, however, has no influence or control over what parents choose to spend on their children.
Editor
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