Would you still be so lenient?
It seems the article about Dayspring Study Centre has some residents up in arms.
While we are not disputing the qualifications of either the pupils, the teachers or those of the principal, Ms Sue Parry – who has stated it clearly on many occasions that Dayspring is her passion – fact remains that the study centre is operating illegally.
During our investigation we were given the run-around when journalist Riaan van Zyl asked pertinent questions such as, “Are you registered with the Department of Education?” Ms Parry claimed the DoE never asked her, verbally or on paper, where the pupils write exams. According to DoE, the same question is on the application form. Why was she not honest about that or other questions we asked?
The gist of the article is not about the pupil’s qualifications, where they write exams or whether a Cambridge qualification is any good, it is about the legality of the school.
Fact is, Ms Parry did not follow the required procedures. She had to apply for site use consent from the City of Johannesburg, register with the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and inform the residents in the immediate vicinity about her plans before she moved into the property. However, she first took occupation and opened the centre and then informed the residents, applied for site consent use and tried to register with GDE.
GDE clearly stated in the numerous emails we received from them that they refuse to accept her registration and will do everything in their power to close down the school. Why would they react so vehemently against Dayspring?
I had a meeting with Ms Parry last year and when she told me her story, I believed her. However, when all the information came through from GDE, which has a team working on this case, I felt deceived and naive and I wondered if she is deceiving the pupils, parents and teachers as well.
Please do not see this as a personal vendetta against either Dayspring or Ms Parry. I am all for education, it is the one thing nobody can ever take from you; this country needs educated and qualified people.
If any other business opened its doors next to your residence, will you be as lenient? Or will you fight to close its doors?
