MEC Creecy upholds appeal of Rivonia Primary School Principal.

The Gauteng Education MEC Ms Barbara Creecy has upheld the appeal of the principal of Rivonia Primary School and has set aside all charges against her. The charges were brought against the principal in an admissions-related matter which went through the courts and was eventually heard in the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the department, affirming the role of the head of department in school admissions. The MEC has done this in the interest of rebuilding the relationship with the school. “We have applied our minds to the Constitutional Court decision and have decided not to pursue the disciplinary process. We believe that a good relationship with the school is in the best interest of the children”, MEC Creecy said. In making this decision the MEC paid particular attention to the statement of the Constitutional Court, in paragraph 79 of its judgement, where it held as follows: “An application for the review of the disciplinary proceedings instituted by the department against the principal is not before us. On this issue it is worth reiterating that, in the light of this judgement, there is an expectation that all relevant parties will take heed of this Court’s approach to school-based disputes and will resolve them in as co-operative a manner as possible.”