NO TEACHERS ON CAMPUS

I write to lodge a complaint against Taal-Net branch in Midrand, the principal and administrator Chiedza.

I visited the campus in November last year to make an enquiry for Grade R enrolment. I was given the application forms along with uniform and stationery lists. I was told to pay for registration, January fees, buy all stationery items as well as the uniforms items stipulated for Grade R. I did all of this before school commenced on the 9th of January.

On dropping my niece off at school on the 9th, we were surprised to come to the knowledge that, no teachers were available on campus and no children were in sight. Later, Nicola called us to let us know that a few other kids had joined my niece. The kids continued to report to school that week with no teacher available. We then decided as a family, to move my niece to another school for the beginning of this week while I contacted the Taal-Net to request a refund for the registration and the fees paid. This is becuase:

1. The services that we paid for, were not being provided 2. My niece was unhappy at school and was finding it extremely unproductive 3. An immense level of unprofessionalism was being displayed here and I do not want to be associated with institutions of this nature 4. The facilities are in the worst condition and my niece could neither play in the grass due to its intense length, nor could she play on the jungle gyms, as they are in very bad condition. 5. The mere fact that there were not even 10 kids on campus, proves the poor attention paid to the pre-school. This raises questions; would the standard of education be one worthy of our time or investment? Why had so many parents pulled their children out of the school? These are among a few others. 6. The funds are needed to cover the costs of enrolment at the new school.

I had been communicating with the administrator, Chiedza from Friday last week, who failed to put me through to the principal. She claimed the principal had been in meetings. I was promised a call back, to which I never got and had to call to follow-up myself. I was informed that the principal was notified of the issue and that I would receive a call from Taal-Net on Monday. When Chiedza called, she did not allow me speak to the principal but instead, told me to come in the next day, to see the principal.

I arrived at the school and was led to the principal's office. She began by stating that she has received my complaint and apologised for inconveniences. She also stated that teachers had not been found but have been shortlisted and are undergoing "probabtion" while trialling for the position. To me, this indicated that, even at this point, children are sitting in class in a compromised situation as there is no teacher assigned to them. She then made me read some fine print stipulating that a term's notice is to be served before a child can leave the school. This was the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard as, there is no way I can serve any notice when the school failed to offer their end of the deal for merely 3days!! Did she expect I keep my child in such an environment for a whole term before pulling her out of the school?? Not only would that make me a parent with no concern for my child's academic well-being, but it also renders me dumb! If anything, I should have fine print for her to read as you cannot have anything against a party that has fulfilled all requirements of the business transaction?

I made this very clear. She then stated her inability to assist me, that her superiors are to make decisions such as this. This again proved ludicrous! What is the role of a principal if he or she is unable to make any decisions? As if this was not already an annoying and wasteful conversation, she asked me to lodge a complaint via email, she jotted the address. I asked who the recipients of the email would be and it turns out, her and Chiedza would be receiving the email. I was livid at this point because if this was the case, I should've been given that instruction over the phone instead of wasting my time to drive to the school and sit into this useless meeting!

She escalated my anger by inviting Chiedza into the office, (Chiedza had already interrupted our conversation twice at this point) in the name of "helping to listen" to me vent over this issue. If Chiedza was any help, she would've helped me over the phone! I have taken time to come and see this woman and the wisest thing she can do is invite her P.A or administrator to make me see reason? Unacceptable! Unprofessional! Disrespectful! She defended herself by stating that Chiedza had every right to listen as she was part of management and would also be receiving my email. Again, this aggravated me to new heights of utter disgust! Management is supposed to help and render solutions! No solutions were offered here and all of this in the name of following "protocol".

This is utter ******* and I would like to request the full amount of R2400 be refunded to me. You have no regard for education, business or professionalism. You have no clue how to manage or run an institution. This organisation should not continue to exist nor offer such a crucial service; one that is meant to build and create a better future for young children. There is nothing good about this institution!

May the so-called superiors contact me for useful information please!

Regards, Tina (A very annoyed parent)