PARENTS of pupils at an independent school in Soweto, who were left stranded after teachers walked out because of the non-payment of salaries, will have to find a resolution to the problem.

The Gauteng education department says it is the task of the parents at St Peter Claver School in Pimville to make plans to see that their children are taught.

There has not been teaching and learning at the Catholic school because teachers have not been paid for two months. Parents were called to baby-sit their children at school.

The teachers could not be paid because the institution and 18 other independent schools did not receive government subsidies pending an investigation. The teachers did not receive their salaries in February and were only paid R2000 each this month.

The school has since told parents that fees will be increased from R800 to R3200.

The department said it would not move the pupils to other schools.

Spokesman Charles Phahlane said: "The parents decided to take their children to a private school. The department has asked the school to ensure that there is teaching and learning."

Phahlane said the department was waiting for a forensic report from former police commissioner George Fivaz.

Fivaz was appointed to probe alleged subsidy fraud after a priest was arrested for fraud. It is unclear when the final report will be released.

About R20-million had been allocated to the 73-year-old priest to run two schools.

One was in the Ramaphosa informal settlement in Germiston and the other in Denver in southern Johannesburg. Both schools are to be closed down. - monamat@sowetan.co.za