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A letter, that Sentinel Primary School in Hout Bay had sent out to the parents of seven learners, has attracted controversy after the school stated it would not allow the children to write examinations if they don’t have proper school shoes, Cape {town} Etc reports.

The letter, dated 14 November, was signed and sent from acting principal, Debri-Lee de Jager and governing body chairperson, Mary Ann Brink.

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The school has since withdrawn the letter, with GOOD Party Secretary-General Brett Herron describing the letter as ‘cruel, humiliating and unconstitutional’.

In a press statement issued by the GOOD Party, Herron stated that the powers of School Governing Bodies must be ‘curtailed’, if they deny children access to education on the basis of language, culture or social class.

‘If children without “proper shoes” are denied education what chance do they have of escaping the cycle of poverty and being able to one day afford shoes for their children?’ said Herron.

‘We call on Sentinel Primary to act with humanity and within the law, and urgently withdraw the letter, failing which the provincial Department of Education must act,’ Herron added.

Bronagh Hammond, Provincial education department spokesperson, has stated that the department was aware of the letter that was distributed to several Grade 3 parents, according to News24.

‘The letter was not sent to all the parents of the school, only those parents whose learners were named in the letter. The contents of the letter are, however, concerning,’ said Hammond

‘While learners must adhere to the uniform policy in the school’s code of conduct, they cannot be prevented from participating in classroom activities, examinations, and, in this case, assessments,’ Hammond added.

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Picture: @ForGoodZA /X

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