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Noleen Petersen Telnr: 051 404 7813 Email: Noleen.petersen@media24.com
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
news24.com – Publications
Staff seek answers School unforthcoming about salary delay TEBOHO SETENA The Castle Bridge School in Bloemfontein is reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy, as the entire staff is owed salaries for December.
Look towards a promising future The three top matriculants of 2024 in the Free State are from the left, front: Susan Bender of the Voortrekker High School in Bethlehem; back: Chris Goosen of Grey College (secondary), and Lehlohonolo Mokhothu of the JC Motumi Secondary School in Odendaalsrus.. Susan was identified as the top performer in the province, with Lehlohonolo celebrated as the Free State’s best performer. PHOTO: LIENTJIE MENTZ
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News of the private school’s dire financial situation is in the public domain with a further delay in paying the salaries of about 40 staff members. The staff comprises 14 support, administrative, and general workers, with 26 educators including the principal. News of the school’s failure to pay salaries surfaced days after it closed for the Christmas recess. BloemExpress reliably learnt the entire staff is yet to be paid their outstanding salaries, and that management has let them wait in vain for payments beyond December. Some of the aggrieved employees, speaking anonymously for fear of apparent intimidation and victimisation, have expressed utter disgust with the school’s management apparently treating the issue lightly. They spoke out after not getting satisfactory answers regarding the unpaid salaries for December, despite engaging Teddi Tokwe, chief executive officer (CEO) of the school. The employees reported they endured a stressful festive holiday, and lament the negative impact of being unable to provide for their families and pay their bills. In addition, they said they had difficulty in preparing their children for the 2025 academic year. Despite these frustrations, it appears to be business as usual for the school’s management team. Educators, administration staff, and general workers reported for duty on 13 and 14 January, to ensure the school begins the 2025 academic year on track.
AGGRIEVED EMPLOYEES, SPEAKING ANONYMOUSLY FOR FEAR OF INTIMIDATION AND VICTIMISATION, HAVE EXPRESSED UTTER DISGUST
Feedback to the staff regarding their unpaid salaries was delivered via a letter dated 26 December, titled “Important update: delay in December salaries payments.” The letter, not signed by the author, merely informed the staff of the school experiencing delays in processing payments, citing slower-than-expected school fee collections from parents. BloemExpress reliably learnt the school has been operating on a deficit and the financial woes surfaced during October, after a delay in the paying of salaries to select staff. Subsequent to the delay in paying salaries in October, the school management cited it was “facing a temporary financial shortfall that has impacted on its ability to meet obligations on time”. Some disgruntled staff blamed the school’s management for alleged financial mismanagement. ) BloemExpress’ repeated efforts entailing phone calls and visits to the school to get a comment from the school’s management before going to print, were futile. This English medium, combined school caters for gr. R to Gr. 12 learners. Previously, the Free State Department of Education almost shut down the school due to its failure to meet requirements and producing poor results.
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