Heathfield High School learners who arrive late at school are allegedly left to roam the streets, placing their lives at risk.
This according to Nadia Booth, a concerned scholar transport driver, who claims she sees learners locked out of school gates all too often.
“Our children’s lives are placed in danger.
“Parents think their children are safe at school but then children are locked outside the school premises for the entire school day,” she tells People’s Post.
Expressing her frustration in a Tiktok video, Booth says in one incident she found two Heathfield High learners in Bergvliet.
“I’ve found two girls roaming around in Bergvliet because the principal apparently doesn’t allow them on the premises when they arrive late.
“Children travel from afar to attend school, so I feel that the school needs to look at other avenues, such as detention instead of leaving learners locked out.”
Booth further claims that she approached law enforcement and the local councillor to report the issue.
“Those kids are outside for the whole day waiting for their parents to collect them or for their transport. Our kids’ lives are placed in danger and there is a children’s act, so why are children left outside during school hours?”
The frustrated woman says it is very upsetting to witness because drugs and teen pregnancy are issues young people face and yet they are placed in vulnerable situations.
“What must learners do for the day? It is a major concern.”
Commenting on the issue Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate says he stands in full support of the school principal.
“When I drove past the school one morning I saw children outside and I didn’t know why they were outside, they told me it was because they were late. The children didn’t go home, instead they were lying on sidewalks and in driveways but surely if you are late for school you need to go home and explain.”
Southgate explains that it is unacceptable for learners to arrive at school at 09.30.
“Last month, I had a meeting with the curator principal and all the plans she has to turn the school around and the first thing she is focusing on, is to establish a relationship with the school and the local community. Her focus area is to install discipline into her learners.”
“There is no way that you can walk into the classroom and school at 09.30 because you are late. So I support the principal in her endeavours to introduce some discipline.”
He further states that it was time to turn the school around.
“This is our school and our learners and we need to look at what we can do to assist the school. I am in support of the initiative taken by the principal for young people to understand about arriving on time for school.”
People’s Post asked the department for a comment on Friday 9 February but there was no response at the time of publication.
