Johannesburg – Regulations that curtailed the rights of governing bodies of Gauteng public schools were set aside by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, Beeld reported on Thursday.

The Federation of Governing Bodies of SA Schools (Fedsas) submitted the application against the Gauteng education MEC and the court ruled on the matter on Wednesday.

Prior to the judgment, the regulations had led to dissatisfaction because the department had attempted to extend school admission application time, placing schools under pressure.

Fedsas’s chief executive Paul Colditz said the ruling was a warning to other provincial education departments.

“The judgment is an indication that provincial departments should plan better or bear the consequences.”

Colditz said he saw the ruling as a victory where the rights of parents and governing bodies to manage the best interests of pupils and to act in the interest of quality education, had been ratified by the courts.

According to the department, the regulations were necessary in order to place students well in advance before the next school year. 

SAPA