The Eastern Cape education department has served an independent school in Matatiele with a notice to deregister the school over its apparent handling of a rape incident last year.
Vuyiseka Mboxela, the spokesperson for Education MEC, Fundile Gade, said the notice was served on Bergview College this week.
“One of the conditions for the registration of independent schools is that they must provide a safe and secure schooling environment.
“The rape case involving a 7-year-old learner at the school and the current investigation and the handling of the matter by Bergview College has violated the conditions regarding the safety of learners.
“A rape case was opened in October 2024 and to this date the matter has not yet made progress.
“The delays are attributed to the school management,” Mboxela said in a statement on Friday.
She said the department was concerned with the conduct of the school principal in relation to his apparent refusal to cooperate with the police.
Mboxela said school officials, who were served with the notice on Friday from department officials, signed an acknowledgement of receipt.
She said the decision comes into effect within 24 hours and the department will assist with the placement of learners at other schools.
“The Department remains committed to the safety and well-being of learners in all schools.
“The Department will work with all stakeholders to ensure that the safety of children becomes priority,” Mboxela said.
Last year GroundUp reported that the provincial education department was investigating the school’s handling of the matter.
Algoa FM tried several times to contact the school on Friday, but without success.
