Class of 2008 lodge complaint against education department

By Ofentse Mokae
19 August 2009

AfriForum Youth submitted a complaint to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) against the Department of Basic Education on behalf of the matriculants of 2008.

The class of 2008 believe that their rights to equality, information and just administration have been breached by the department, as they haven’t issued their matric certificates.

This is also despite the fact that tertiary institutions and employers are demanding these certificates.

In a media statement AfriForum’s Youth National Chairman, Ernest Roets, says the issue of the matriculants is a sensitive issue.

“This is a very sensitive matter for the matriculants, especially as huge problems had been experienced with the release of the matric results of 2008,” said Roets.

He says this year’s matriculants are preparing for their final examinations while their 2008 counterparts are battling to obtain their certificates.

“The current matric group already are busy with preparations for their exams, but the group of 2008’s certificates have not even been issued yet,” Roets said.

He says this year some of the matriculants had to wait up to six months for their results to be released, only to hear that their certificates will now also not be issued within an acceptable time,” he added.

The human rights commission said they could not confirm the complaint, however they would look into the matter and the necessary measures will be followed.