Illegal School Sets 'Matrics' Back Three Years

by Schools4SA

Illegal School in Roodepoort Adversely Affects Matric Students

Key Items

• Pre-Primary Achievers school is unregistered for basic education.
• Twelve students are at risk of being placed in lower grades.
• Parents are frustrated over lost time and educational opportunities.

In a troubling turn of events, the Pre-Primary Achievers school in Florida, Roodepoort has been found operating illegally, only registered as an Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly among parents who believed their children were on the path to completing their matric qualifications.

Twelve students are now caught in a precarious situation as they discover they cannot register for their matric exams, with the Gauteng Department of Education confirming that the school is not recognised for basic education. Many parents have expressed their frustration, feeling that they have wasted years of their children's education. They are in a state of limbo as the department assesses where these learners should be placed, potentially backtracking their educational progress.

Elise Ferris, the principal of the school, maintains that her institution is legitimate and that the claims surrounding its status are unfounded. However, documentation discrepancies have raised alarms. Parents noted a significant rise in their children’s marks and voiced concerns over instructional capacity, with reports suggesting a single teacher handling multiple grades.

The situation has sparked an urgent conversation about the importance of verifying educational institutions, particularly independent schools, to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. The department is committed to assisting the affected families as they seek to navigate this fallout.

The Pre-Primary Achievers school in Roodepoort is facing backlash after being found only registered as an Early Childhood Development centre and not for basic education. Parents are concerned as their children, originally enrolled thinking they were preparing for matrics, are now in jeopardy of being placed in lower grades due to the school’s registration issues.

Main Takeaways

• Parents should verify a school's registration status before enrolling their children.
• Education authorities are stepping in to assist affected students.
• The importance of proper documentation in educational institutions cannot be overstated.

Reference:
https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2025-03-20-illegal-school-sets-matrics-back-three-years/