The future of an 18-year-old learner hangs in the balance after his school, Siyakhululeka High at Maqoma in the Eastern Cape, allegedly refused him to repeat Grade 12. Baxolise Ncume failed matriculation last year with four subjects and did not qualify to write the supplementary examinations.

His concerned father says he has exhausted all avenues in attempting to resolve the matter. The affected learner says this has affected him negatively.

“It really affected me. I want to be someone who will provide for my family and I want to take care of my future. If the school readmits me again, I can make sure that I will do well at school and everything I have to do, I will do it,” he says.

Spokesperson for the provincial education department, Vuyiseka Mboxela, says they are looking into the matter.

“That act is an act against the law and that act is an act that mustn’t be done by any school principal because there can be no policy that is above the instruction of the HOD. (That) is from the Constitution of South Africa.”