PAUL ROOS RECTOR NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMISSIONS, SAYS EQUALITY COURT
12 November 201
The Rector of the Paul Roos Gymnasium cannot be held responsible for the school’s admissions. This is according to the Equality Court in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. The Rector, Mr Jannie van der Westhuizen, appeared before the Equality Court today following an appeal by a parent against her 15-year-old son’s unsuccessful application for admission to the school in 2014 (see Cape Times report).
The boy’s application for admission to the school was one of 258 unsuccessful applications from a total of 504 in 2014. The boy’s mother, Ms Vuyokazi Dyani, lodged an appeal against the school’s decision with the Western Cape Minister of Education. Following an investigation by the Minister’s office it was found that the school applied the admissions policy in a manner that was thorough, honest and correct. Ms Dyani also took the case to the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Court. The Human Rights Commission has not yet come to a decision.
The Equality Court has agreed with the school that this court cannot set aside the provincial education minister’s decision to reject Ms Dyani’s appeal. The provincial minister has rejected the applicant’s appeal on the grounds that the school’s process was found to be fair and consistent and in accordance with legislation, that the process was objective and that no decisions were race-based. In addition the court has confirmed that a school’s admissions policy is a function of the school governing body and that the principal cannot be held responsible for the policy.
“Paul Roos Gymnasium is an inclusive school committed to serving all South Africans. However, the school can only do so within the framework of what is possible in practice.
The school and the governing body understand that all parents wish to provide their children with the best possible education. However, the school cannot accommodate all applicants and the school governing body, as one of its functions according to the Schools’ Act, has an admissions policy to manage the process,” says Mr Jannie van der Westhuizen, Rector of Paul Roos Gymnasium. Van der Westhuizen says the school executes this admissions policy within the framework of the school’s own value system of honesty, openness, integrity and fairness.
Ms Dyani also alleges that the Rector insulted her when she approached the school to find out why her son’s application for admission was unsuccessful. Ms Dyani claims that Mr Van der Westhuizen told her that her son should attend a school in the Kayamandi township “where he belongs”. Mr Van der Westhuizen denies this allegation by Ms Dyani.
The Equality Court has decided that the merits of this complaint will be heard by the court. The Directions Hearing will take place on 21 January 2016.
Statement issued by Mr Jannie van der Westhuizen, Rector: Paul Roos Gymnasium, 12 November 2015
