Investigation into SGB misconduct delays principal’s appointment
Parents claim that they were promised that a new principal of the school would be named soon after the SGB’s made its recommendations, selecting a list of preferable candidates for final consideration by the Department of Education.
However, until now, the decision on appointing the new principal of the school is nowhere in sight.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson, Gershwin Chuenyane, the investigation into the conduct of the SGB in relation to financial irregularities and the subsequent suspension of the body, have caused the delay in appointing a new principal of the school to replace, Neill Lochenberg, who was dismissed.
In terms of the South African Schools Act, the SGB recommends the appointment of staff.
However, according to Chuenyane, in the case of Reiger Park Primary School, the district director will now play that role owing to the suspension of the SGB in terms of the South African Schools Act.
The Advertiser understands that members of the Reiger Park Primary SGB have now been suspended from their positions pending the results of a further investigation into the financial irregularities.
According to parents, the school is also plagued by shortages of teachers and materials including exam materials.
The GDE did not respond to comment on these claims.
The delay in appointing the new president has caused much discontentment among parents, especially those opposed to the current leadership of the school, they described as appalling.
At a recent parents meeting held at the school, parents talked about what they want in a new leader at the school.
One parent said she wants a principal “who understands the parents’ needs as well as the students’ needs; a principal who will build school spirit and has a good understanding of the Reiger Park community”.
Barbara Creecy, MEC of Gauteng Education, says they are currently advertising 99 vacant principal posts created due to natural attrition.
“The intention is to ensure that they are all filled by January 2014,” says Creecy.
