Whilst it is common to read about complaints from parents of first time learners in South Africa not getting place at a school of their choice, it is very rare that complaints about Laudium Schools in this regard are received. However as the saying goes, there is always a first time.
This follows a complaint received from a Lotus Gardens parent who claimed that she timeously registered her child at the Himalaya Secondary School, which two of her other kids also attend, only to discover that her child was not enrolled when going to school on the first day (Wednesday Jan 12).
A clearly furious parent, Nikita Thulsi, told the Laudium Sun, “I hope my complaint gets published in your newspaper and if it does they will know exactly who gave the information and who complained. I registered my daughter in 2021 at Himalaya Secondary, when registration had just opened. Sometime after I registered my child, I received conformation that she was accepted. I then spoke to the appropriate people at the school. I had told this person that I uploaded all necessary documents on the website and asked if it was necessary to bring any other information on her first day. I was told that it was not necessary to bring any other documents to the school. On Wednesday, when the schools opened, we proceed as normal, being the first day of school. I took my kid in and went through the welcome of the newcomers.
“To my surprise, my child’s name was not called out, she was not placed in a classroom. I started making enquires as to why this was happening, as I had registered my child timeously. I was told that my child’s name was not on the ‘ school’s list’. I politely left the school and went home to fetch the necessary documents and proof that stated that my child had been accepted and I then went back to the school, for the second time that day.
“I was made to wait at the office, as there were many parents who had grievances on the first day. When it was eventually my turn, I was met by the secretary, Poobashni Veloo. After greeting her and trying to explain my situation, she didn’t even bother looking at my child’s documents or the message to say that my child was accepted. Poobashni rudely told me that there was nothing that could be done to get my child in the school for this year. She didn’t even try to help, she just told me that I was free to go to the Department, if I was not satisfied with the outcome. I found Poobashni to be acting all high and mighty. In my opinion she has no skin over her face.”
Other complaints
Nikita added, “If a child has an issue at the school and the child needs to leave urgently Poobashni gives them a hard time. I have two other kids in the school. In 2021 my daughter fell ill and she went to the office because her father was going to pick her up. I phoned Poobashni and she didn’t even listen to me. She abruptly told me to speak to the Principal who was not there at the time. I believe that she has personal problems with some people and she takes it out on the kids. I feel she is not fit to work in a school environment. I’ve had two incidents with Poobashni in the past and the school did not even reprimand her or call her for an inquiry. I believe she’s got the people in the management wrapped around her fingers. There was a parent in the same situation as I was, but Poobashni gave that parent a new admission form and the child was told that he would be given a place in the school. It seems to me that the school either wants bribes or wants you to beg them, in order to guarantee your child’s place in the school. And it’s not to say that they don’t have space because they do. They want to push and shove you, giving you the run around while your child wastes time at home, when they could have been in school. I found Poobashni to be unprofessional instead of being an example to high school kids”.
The Laudium Sun asked Pricipal Vilasen Padayachy for a comment on the allegations made by Nikita. He said, “Although our enrolment was full, we tried making a plan. When we called the parent a few days later, she said that she placed her child in a private school.”
Poobashni Veloo refused to comment on the allegations against her.
The Laudium Sun spoke to Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the Gauteng Dept of Education on this matter, who said, “According to the Department’s policy, no child may be refused admission to schooling. However, if the child is from another area of that of the school, priority is first given to those living in the area.”
