THE future of about 70 rural high school pupils hangs in the balance after their alleged expulsion.

THE future of about 70 rural high school pupils hangs in the balance after their alleged expulsion.

Principal Mokwape Malale of Khudiu High School in Loraine, GaSekororo, near Tzaneen, allegedly expelled the pupils last Thursday over a series of transgressions.

Those "expelled" were allegedly refused entry to the school premises yesterday.

Most are Grade 12 pupils who failed to attend the winter school arranged by the department of education and those who failed to report to school when it reopened last Monday.

Learners' council representative Jeffrey Morema said other pupils were barred from attending lessons because they were not wearing the school uniform.

A Grade 12 pupil, Moagi Mabushe, said his fault was failing to report to school when it reopened last week. He said he told the principal he had a family problem and was ordered to bring his parents.

The pupils handed over a memorandum to the school yesterday demanding that Malale revisit his decision.

Malale confirmed that he had sent the pupils home to fetch their parents.

"I did not dismiss them. I only asked them to call their parents but because they are unruly, they chose not to come back to the school," he said.

Education department spokesperson Ndo Mangala said principals were allowed to send pupils home to call their parents when they misbehaved.

SGB deputy secretary Motswakwe Elisabeth Rakgwale said they were not aware of the matter.

"The principal knows the law, there is no way he can dismiss our children from school without talking to us first."