The Gauteng department of education has officially shut down Crowthorne Christian Academy after revelations that it was operating illegally.
This after the department made multiple attempts to reach out to the school’s management through various forms of communication and physical visits with law-enforcement agencies.
Despite its efforts, said the department, the school management failed to respond or open the school gates for officials from the department.
In a statement on Friday, the department said it had hoped to use support and development stance towards the Crowthorne Christian Academy management, including taking management through compliance processes for purpose of registration.
“Furthermore, we wanted to facilitate a transformative process with them involving our constitution, democracy, values in education, and respect for human rights,” said the department in a statement.
“However, when officials visited the school on Thursday, 17 August 2023 in Midrand, where the school relocated illegally, the owners had locked the gates and closed the school.
“This was dumbfounding as our officials had previously managed to enter the school on Monday, 14 August 2023.”
The department further said it is prepared to place all affected learners in alternative schools, as it believes Crowthorne is not an institution that can effectively educate children.
“We urge all parents who have children in this school to contact the department for assistance.”
Earlier in the week, the school made headlines after a teacher was seen assaulting a learner in a video that went viral.
The learner’s parents were at the school to address the issue of her natural dreadlocks, which the school wanted her to get rid of.
Andries Hendrik Booysen, the husband of Crowthorne Christian Academy principal, was released on R2 000 bail on Thursday after he appeared in the Midrand magistrate’s court for assault.
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