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GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - Children at Lancewood Primary, a tiny farm school between Hoekwil and Sedgefield, can't read or write properly. This outcry from highly concerned parents is nothing new, but hasn't yet yielded the desired effect.

"We've been knocking on the door of the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) for years," said Gerald Seti, a legal guardian of one of the learners who attend the school.

 "All three of my children attended Lancewood Primary," said Seti. "Two of them had severe problems with their school work."

Parents recently formed a WhatsApp group where they shared their concerns. George Herald was invited to join the group and communicate on this platform.

Jacque Seti, a family member of Gerald, said he moved his daughter to another school because she kept complaining that they don't do anything in class and that her teacher [Jacquiline Ceronio, also the principal] seldom pitches for lessons. 

"She got 6s for her subjects and the teacher said that she is progressing well, but my daughter said they only watch cartoons in class," said Jacque.

Other complaints include teachers coming late for school and leaving early; the use of the bus driver as a supervisor in the class when the teachers are occupied elsewhere; psychometric testing of learners with literacy problems and the principal's alleged insistence that prescription medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) be administered as a cure for inability to focus in class.

Ceronio was asked for comment on these allegations, but declined, and referred George Herald to the WCED.

More complaints

More parents joined the conversations on the WhatsApp group, saying their children have severe reading and writing problems. Desmé Makier said her child would tell her that he asks for help when he struggles, but the teacher is often busy with other children in other grades. 

Lancewood Primary has only two classes and accommodates different grades in the same class. The school has about 50 learners in total.

Chamielle Innes moved her daughter to another school in the second term, because of what she describes as "a lack of learning".

A mother shared this photo on a WhatsApp group for parents, saying the children have to relieve themselves outside, since the toilet doors are locked. WCED spokesperson Millicent Merton commented, "Anyone who wants to use the toilets can request the general worker to unlock it. This is common practice in some schools."

Additional drama unfolded surrounding the crèche at the school over recent weeks. According to parents and the teacher at the crèche, Aldorette Jantjies, headmaster Ceronio doesn't want the younger, pre-primary children on the school grounds anymore.

"The children who attended my classes showed so much potential," said Jantjies. "At some point I used to help with older children too - some of the Grade 4s who couldn't read and write. It makes me so sad to see how they struggle."

VIDEO: Crisis at Lancewood Primary: Parents desperate

Education department comments

In her feedback on the many issues raised by parents, spokesperson of the Department of Education Millicent Merton said it is important to recognise that numerous factors contributed to the problem.

"Following the results of 2022, according to the principal [Jackie Ceronio], a significant number of learners underwent assessments for learning disabilities, with parental consent.

Learners were identified with specific learning barriers, including cognitive impairment, extended time requirements, and ADHD, among others," said Merton.

WCED spokesperson Millicent Merton

"The school sought assistance from Specialised Learner and Educator Support (SLES) and the curriculum team. The curriculum team visited the institution on multiple occasions during which it was determined that while there were areas for improvement, the educational work was aligned with Caps standards and assessments were conducted according to the prescribed Caps assessment programmes.

 Recommendations provided were duly implemented.

"To address the needs of the learners, the school procured a set of workbooks designed to cover the curriculum in a more manageable format. Subject advisors reviewed these workbooks and found them to be adequate and highly conducive to learner engagement.
"Interventions have been introduced, with the guidance of SLES, including the provision of individualised intervention books tailored to each learner's specific needs. 

Additional time for revision has been allocated, and learners are actively encouraged to engage in their studies and seek assistance as needed.

"Furthermore, video lessons were provided, where feasible, subsequent to the teacher’s in-class instruction. Teaching time is rigorously adhered to."

Other factors
Merton said there are other factors that have an impact on the performance of some learners that also need to be considered. 

"These include learning difficulties as a result of health-related causes, high absenteeism, lack of parental engagement and language barriers. A considerable number of learners have also not participated in Grade R, resulting in a deficiency in foundational background knowledge."

Merton said the circuit manager, Thembekile Bango, also had discussions with the principal about the management of the school. "The crèche is independent of the school."

Meeting
Merton said parents were invited to attended a meeting at the school at 18:00 on 14 August. "The parents had an opportunity to discuss their children’s grades with the teachers before the start of the meeting." 

She said an attendance register was taken, signed by parents. She confirmed that a guardian of one of the learners, Gerald Seti, who is very vocal about his concerns, was not invited to the meeting.

Seti confirmed that a meeting was supposed to take place, but said it was cancelled at the last minute because Bango could not make the meeting. 

He said the parents signed the register, but left without a meeting. This was confirmed by other parents, who said that Bango did not arrive for the meeting. Asked about the matter, Bango referred George Herald back to the WCED spokesperson.

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