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Parents sneak in their children

BEGINNERS: Sandile Mathidza and Tshepang Mathibela.14/01/2009. Pic. Bafana Mahlangu. © Sowetan.
BEGINNERS: Sandile Mathidza and Tshepang Mathibela.14/01/2009. Pic. Bafana Mahlangu. © Sowetan.

Nthabisang Moreosele

Nthabisang Moreosele

The reopening of schools yesterday got off to a bizarre start when parents used sneaky tactics to enrol their children.

One parent dressed her son in the colours of Freedom Primary School, led him to the school and left for home. The teachers discovered the child was not registered but sent him to the Grade 1 class.

"This happens from time to time. Parents carelessly forget to register their children and then use sneaky tricks to have them admitted here," said deputy principal Victor Mohale.

Another unregistered pupil was sent to school with his older brother who dumped him in a class. Luckily there was a seat for him.

Principal Moroba Lekgalake, of the no-fee Inkwenkwezi Primary school in Diepkloof, said most of the children were from orphanages and from the Elias Motsoaledi squatter camp.

He said the kids, who had until March to register, had to walk 10 kilometres a day to school and depended on the school for a meal.

"About 60 percent are orphans and the rest belong to unemployed parents. The children are highly stressed. We have systems in place to deal with loss and grief."

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