Eastern Cape govt revokes school’s decision to bar Grade 11 pupils from initiation over winter break

The Eastern Cape school informed parents that children who did not attend extra classes during the winter break to complete initiation were not welcome back at the school. (Thulani Mbele/Sowetan/Gallo Images)

The Eastern Cape education department has revoked a high school’s decision to bar Grade 11 pupils from undergoing traditional circumcision during the winter break.

The principal of Ngobozana Senior Secondary School in Lusikisiki, Mzuvukile Gunuza, wrote to parents on Friday to tell them that their children were expected to attend extra classes during the winter break.

Written in isiXhosa, the letter read: “Schools will not be closed for your child who is doing Grade 11 because teachers want to assist them. From 17 June until 28 June, a child who is doing Grade 11 is expected to be in the school.”