Pinelands High School Blatant **************

Item: Department of Education
Rating: 1
Author: boonzaierchantal B

Please see below events that transpired on 14th March 2017 at Pinelands High School whilst trying to make an Application for Grade 8 admission for next year for my son. This is the Letter I have sent to the Principal see below). Please could you assist me urgently. cc DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WC Dear Mr Campbell Today I excitedly arrived at PHS with my detailed Application Form and Cover Note for Admission for my son, Tyler Boonzaier, for Grade 8 next year. As I arrived at the Reception Area I was not even greeted or acknowleged by the Lady at the front desk. I then, after greeting her explained that I was there to hand in my Application Form for my son, Tyler Boonzaier. She started looking through the Forms and immediately starting making accusations as how I got it sent to me on email "as none of them would have sent it". I explained that it WAS sent to me via email as it is not downloadable from the PHS Website. She continued implying I must have got it some other way. I certainly did not break into the school and send it to myself. This was the 1st attack. My Form was then scrutinized by 3 of your Staff Members (see names below) . I was not greeted, smiled at or even acknowledged by them either as they tore into my Form in front of everyone walking by. I have never been treated with such coldness, contempt and been so ridiculed and embarrassed in front of the entire Reception area of a school. The didn't even believe me when I said this is my first and only child I wish to apply for. They stated that they had seen him before and proceeded to go and check on their system in case I was lying. Why? Well because I'm a single mother who has raised her own child since I was 3 months pregnant. My child's father who absconded 13 years ago has never even met his son. So because of this, I was rudely informed that I may not apply for the part exemption of school fees, which by law I am entitled to do. With this said, I have never defaulted on Tylers School Fees throughout his schooling career. You are more than welcome to phone the following schools' Accounts Departments: Brackenfell Junior, Aristea and Riebeck Kasteel. I might be a single parent but I pride myself in how I work 3 sometimes 4 jobs to provide. I would also like for the school to do a Credit Check on me; an apology is called for, as being son3gle makes me no less of a parent. Be that as it may, I was informed that until their father is found / traced, Tyler may not be admitted to your Highschool. This all because of school fees. They ripped through my entire Application Form, even questioning the Municipality Account like it had been tampered with, they even went as far as to get a map in front of everyone, whilst I stood there trying to explain that as per my cover note the house is on a corner plot. The more I stressed that there has never been a father and that I would be responsible for the school fees, all they said was "well what if you die?" to which I rep**** that my father would then pay and I would get an Affidavit done to this effect. Their reply: "what if you both die?" Both myself and my Tyler's Grandmother attended Pinelands High School. Today I was treated like a complete ****, with such disdain and disrespect that I could no longer deal with 3 of them lashing out at me. They didnt seem to care that I was being so humiliated nor that the tears were streaming down my face. I have never not paid an account in my life and suggested they do a Credit check on me to which there was no response. Through my shock and tears I asked if my child was now going to be refused admission because of his father, who abandoned him at birth, and I was told in no uncertain terms that this would be the case. From the time Tyler attended creche until now I have never met such cold-hearted money hungry insensitive people in my life. Not once did anyone even bother to ask anything about my son. He was a non-entity and I was, ironically there today for him. If you would like to see a copy of my Application Form I will be more than happy to send this too you. How can a child be held liable and refused admission because of his father who absconded at birth? I offered to make a Police Affidavit in this regard and my suggestion was refused. They even had the audacity to imply that the Municipal account was suspicious, even although I typed out a detailed letter in this regard as the house is on a corner plot. The only thing that I needed to do was have 2 x ID Documents Certified which I admittedly ommitted to do. I explained that I am in the process of applying for a new Birth Certificate for Tyler as his original certificate was ****** / misplaced during a recent move. I did still attach a copy in the meantime. I was advised when I phoned the school back this afternoon that the names of the 3 ladies who took me on were Charlene Roberts, Celeste Theron and Evalyn Carelse. I eventually left with my Application Form as I could no longer stand their rude, derogatory comments. They treated me like a complete and utter ****. I have never been so embarrassed or treated with such contempt in my whole life. I am a good mother, upstanding citizen with a clean credit record and I certainly did not deserve to be treated like the enemy. I would like the matter to be taken further as at this stage my child's education now depends on a man who absconded 13 years ago. I wonder if other parents are treated the same and discriminated against? When I left the school today I was crying so uncontrollably that I had to sit in the car for 10mins before I was able to compose myself to drive back home. I have reported this matter to the Department of Education today and am now reporting the matter to you, as surely this type of viscious ************** is not allowed. Im a single mother? Why do I not have the right like others to apply for a reduction in school fees, or more importantly to be treated with a little dignity and respect? I am still in utter shock over what transpired today. I have given this much thought and have spoken to Legal Aid who have advised that this is utterly disgraceful and I should take the matter to the highest level, which I intend to do. A man who abandoned his own child 13 years ago and who has totally absconded now dictates whether my child gets into a high school?? Don't you think that Tyler, being abandoned at birth is enough sadness to last him a lifetime? Do you also now want me to tell my child that because of this he may not go to PHS? I wont break his heart a second time. Yours faithfully Chantal Boonzaier ********** 225

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