Gratton School

The school is destroying the student's future

We write on behalf of concerned parents and community members regarding a deeply troubling situation at a private secondary school called Gratton in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal. Following a disciplinary hearing involving ten learners on similar charges, two learners were singled out for expulsion while the others received lesser consequences. These two learners have now been out of school for over a month. The disparity in outcomes, combined with serious questions about the fairness and transparency of the process, has left many in our community deeply unsettled. What makes this situation more urgent is that the Department of Education has reportedly already intervened, issuing a directive for the learners to return to class due to non-compliance in the disciplinary process. Yet, the learners remain at home. We understand the school's leadership is "awaiting legal advice" before acting, but every day that passes is a day of learning these children will never get back. We also have concerns about how the disciplinary committee was constituted and whether its members had the appropriate mandate to recommend expulsion nor are competent. It is further unclear what oversight role school leadership played, or should have played, in such a serious outcome. We are not here to attack any individual and our concern is not to prejudge any ongoing processes, but to ensure that the learners' right to education is protected while any disputes or legal questions are resolved through the appropriate channels. We simply ask: Why has a DoE directive not been implemented? What recourse do parents have when a school does not comply with departmental instructions? Who holds a school accountable when due process appears not to have been followed? Section 28(2) of our Constitution is clear — the best interests of the child must be paramount. Whatever legal or procedural disputes exist between the school and the Department, those must not come at the expense of children sitting at home, falling behind. We call on education authorities, community leaders, and anyone with knowledge of how to escalate this matter to please come forward. These learners deserve to be back in class sooner rather than later while any outstanding issues are resolved through proper channels. Any guidance or support from those who understand the system would be greatly appreciated.