THE future of about 70 high school students hangs in the balance following their alleged expulsion.

THE future of about 70 high school students hangs in the balance following their alleged expulsion.

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

Those "expelled" were allegedly refused entrance into the school premises yesterday.

Most are Grade 12 students 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.

Chairperson of the Learners Council Representative Jeffrey Morema said other students were barred from attending lessons because they were not wearing 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 students handed over a memorandum to the school yesterday demanding that Malale revisit his decision.

Malale confirmed that he had sent the students 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 students 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 our school without talking to us first."