A Tableview mother is desperately trying to find a school for her daughter to complete matric after she was expelled from Reddam House Atlantic Seaboard after asking friends and their parents for money to help her struggling family.
The mother said her daughter never told them what she was doing and managed to collect around R5 000 over two months before the school intervened.
"She got expelled because she asked friends and their parents for money without our knowledge. She told them it was to help us because we were struggling so badly. There were times we went to bed without food," the mother said.
"She's the eldest, and I think she felt responsible. But she never told us. She said the money was from her boyfriend or grandmother. She used it for school stuff, to top up bus tickets for herself and her three siblings, and buy bread, eggs, and electricity." The mother said that her daughter was expelled mid-February after a learner reported the situation.
“The school saw it as blackmail and extortion. Now my daughter has been at home just over a month, tried to commit suicide as she believes that our lives would be better without her in it. My daughter is depressed, she's not eating anymore and she believes that she's a failure.
She's really good at soccer, she excels academically. She made a mistake out of desperation because we were struggling financially.” She said attempts to place her daughter in a government school had been unsuccessful. "I've tried every possible school, but I am told they don't take Grade 12s this late in the year. Now she is sitting at home missing her final year."
Reddam House spokesperson Shelley Carroll confirmed the expulsion and said that the matter was handled in line with the school's code of conduct. "The school addressed the matter after receiving formal complaints from several sources. The situation was handled in accordance with the school's well-established code of conduct, utilising independent and experienced chairpersons throughout the process.
"We do not take decisions like this lightly, but given the severity of the matter, it was necessary to act accordingly. The head of the school has been active in supporting the learner, contacting other schools to find a suitable educational environment."
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Kerry Mauchline said parents in similar situations should approach their district admissions office for help.
"Please note that schools are full and the schools listed are in high demand for placement, which limits their ability to accommodate extremely late transfer applicants. The Department will strive to assist parents with a suitable transfer option.”
Meanwhile, the mother is still searching for a way forward. "She made a mistake, but deserves a second chance. Right now, she is sitting at home with no future."
Cape Argus