Selborne College came under fire this week after six pupils were sent home from its hostel after they embarked on a hunger strike, complaining that the meals served were substandard.
A parent, who asked to remain anonymous to protect his son, said: “Their sin was to write to the headmaster, complaining about the standard of food they get on a daily basis.
“We pay R4,900 per term for our children to be fed food that is not up to standard.”
He said when the parents raised the concerns, the school accused the pupils of being badly behaved and bullies.
“They did not mention the main matter, which is the food,” he said.
“Children tend to manipulate information so that they do not get into trouble, but I received confirmation when a teacher confided in me, saying the allegations of bullying were untrue and that only the hostel master had a problem with the pupils.”
He said the pupils had resorted to buying takeaways instead.
“There was another incident where a pupil vomited because of the taste of the food.
“They said they are not going to open up the hostel for the six pupils when schools open on October 11.
“Their academics are up to standard, but this is going to affect their academics as they will not have a conducive place to study,” the parent said.
Dispatch has seen pictures of the food and a video showing an undercooked fat cake, a plate of samp with red meat and mixed vegetables, and spaghetti with a meatball and grated beetroot.
Provincial education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the department had met the school’s leadership and the pupils, and had implemented a programme to try to assist.
Mtima said: “The school has agreed to have an incubation programme for the hostel master so that he can enhance his management skills.
“There is a process that is going to be taken as the school has realised there has been a bit of hostility between the pupils and the master.”
He said the pupils would report back to the hostel in the fourth term to prepare for their final examinations.
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