Department’s Efforts to Address Crowthorne Christian Academy’s Violent Incident and Illegal Operation

The Gauteng Department of Education has taken the decision to shut down Crowthorne Christian Academy after it was revealed that the school was operating illegally.

This action comes in the wake of an incident where a 13-year-old student was forcefully expelled from the school due to wearing natural dreadlocks.

The incident gained widespread attention after a video of the incident circulated on various social media platforms.

Violent Expulsion and Social Media Outcry

The incident that triggered the investigation and subsequent shutdown involved a 13-year-old learner who was forcefully removed from Crowthorne Christian Academy for wearing her natural dreadlocks.

The disturbing incident was captured on video and quickly went viral, sparking outrage on social media.

This incident shed light on the school’s actions and raised questions about its adherence to education regulations and principles.

Department’s Stance and Efforts for Resolution

Steve Mabona, the spokesperson for the Gauteng Education Department, explained that the initial intention was to address the matter through support and development measures.

This included guiding the school management team through compliance processes necessary for proper registration.

The department also aimed to engage in a transformative process with the school, focusing on constitutional principles, democratic values, education ethics, and human rights respect.

Surprising Closure and Communication Breakdown

Despite the department’s efforts to engage with the school management and resolve the matter, a surprising turn of events occurred.

Officials from the education department visited the school’s new location in Midrand on August 17, 2023.

To their astonishment, they found that the school had been closed and the gates were locked.

This abrupt closure was unexpected, especially considering that officials had gained access to the school on August 14, 2023.

Unresponsiveness and Illegal Operations

Mabona further revealed that the department had made multiple attempts to establish communication with the school’s management.

These attempts included various forms of communication and even physical visits with law enforcement agencies.

Unfortunately, the school remained unresponsive, refusing to engage with the department’s inquiries and concerns.

As a result, the decision was made to issue a closure notice to the school due to its illegal operations.

Moving Forward: Learners and Support

The Gauteng Department of Education has taken a decisive step in addressing the situation by closing down Crowthorne Christian Academy.

This decision reflects the department’s commitment to ensuring that educational institutions operate within the bounds of the law and uphold ethical standards.

In response to the closure, the department is prepared to facilitate the transition of affected learners to alternative schools.

The department urges parents with children enrolled at Crowthorne Christian Academy to contact them for assistance in finding suitable educational alternatives.