GDE closes Crowthorne Christian Academy amid hair row
The Department of Education in Gauteng will close down Crowthorne Christian Academy in Midrand amid a row over a pupil’s hair.
Officials visited the school, which the department has accused of operating illegally, on Thursday.
However, the officials were not granted access after the owners had locked the gates and closed the school.
Education MEC Matome Chiloane’s spokesperson Xolani Mkhwemnte says the department will look to place pupils at alternative schools.
"We are prepared to place all affected learners of the school in alternative schools, as we believe that Crowthorne Christian Academy is not an institution that can effectively educate children. We urge all parents who have children in this school to contact the department for assistance.”
The school hit the headlines after a video emerged on Monday showing a 13-year-old pupil and her mother being pushed by the school’s officials during a confrontation about the child’s dreadlocks.
The school deemed the hair to be in violation of its “no extensions” policy.
The principal's husband, Andries Booysen, who was seen pushing the pupil and the mother, has since appeared in court on a charge of assault.
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