Parents bringing their children to Diepsloot Combined School on the first day of the academic year were turned away on Wednesday morning after being denied access to the school premises.
Parents arrived from as early as 7:30am but found the gates closed, forcing them and their children to wait outside for about 30 minutes. When the gates opened at around 8am, only learners were allowed inside, while parents were instructed to return at 2pm.
This included parents hoping to submit stationery, resolve placement issues, enquire about uniforms, or accompany young learners to their classrooms. Parents said the school principal refused to engage with them and instructed all parents to leave.
Concerns were raised about the handling of Grade R and Grade 1 learners, with reports that some late-arriving learners were turned away, while returning learners were allowed entry. Parents described the situation as distressing, particularly for children starting school for the first time.