Ridgevale Primary School at centre of learner abuse, funds mismanagement allegations

Ridgevale Primary School in Johannesburg is at the centre of serious allegations of corporal punishment, victimisation, and the humiliation of learners.

Parents, the school governing body (SGB), and some teachers allege that the school principal failed to act to stop the alleged abuse.

The allegations prompted a formal investigation by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) in 2025; however, months later, the SGB said it has not received feedback, findings or indication of what action - if any - has been or will be taken.

School is meant to be a place where children are meant to feel safe and protected but the hallways of Ridgevale Primary School echo not with learning and laughter - but fear.

Parents, the SGB and some teachers have described the environment as one that is filled with anxiety. This anxiety has challenged the trust that the school was once built on.

A parent said, "There's a lot of bullying cases that are [happening] and they don't get reported because the kids are just like 'I’ll tell the teacher and then what?' That's why other parents or siblings end up coming to the school and deal with the bully. That's dangerous because what if someone has a weapon next time and someone gets really hurt."

While multiple formal complaints have been lodged against the school and its principal, to date, nothing has been done.

Parents said the absence of feedback has undermined confidence in the department and school, and raised questions about whether adequate learner-protection measures are in place.

"I just feel like the department doesn't care unless someone dies or if someone gets seriously injured, then they will want to be involved, but no, it doesn't care. I know the issues the school has, have been reported to the department, but action doesn't seem like it will happen anytime soon."

EWN reached out to their department about these allegations, but their answer is clear - no allegations of humiliation or victimisation of learners were received; however, it said the only allegation of corporal punishment received was dealt with in 2024.

According to the parents, SGB and some educators, at the centre of this dispute is a simple issue: lack of accountability.

PRINCIPAL ACCUSED OF GROSS MISMANAGEMENT OF FUNDS

While Ridgevale Primary School faces serious allegations of corporal punishment and other learner abuses, the school's principal has also been accused of gross mismanagement of funds.

According to the SGB and some parents, Sindisiwe Baxter attempted to use the school's credit card to procure alcohol at a local Pick n Pay.

The transaction was stopped only after a store manager alerted the school's treasurer.

Some members of the SGB have attributed the issue to a widespread governance crisis at the school.

According to an internal investigation by the GDE, Ridgevale Primary School is allegedly indebted to Pick n Pay by more than R43,000, despite there being no evidence that the SGB approved that credit agreement.

The report found that Baxter used the school's credit card in an attempt to purchase alcohol - among other items - bypassing prescribed procurement procedures.

These findings form part of a broader investigation into governance and financial mismanagement at the school, triggered by escalating disputes between Baxter and the SGB.

This former SGB member explained that alcohol is not the only thing the principal was allegedly purchasing with school funds.

"There were allegations of the school principal using our school fees money to purchase food, alcohol and fuel on her own stuff. It was reported to us by the treasurer, it has been reported to the district. There was an investigation, but we have got no feedback from them - it's been almost a year."

When EWN pressed the department on whether it had investigated the allegations, their response was chilling in its brevity.

Just one word - "yes".

Other complaints brought forward are that procurement processes at the school are riddled with irregularities and signatories are often bypassed.

EWN reached out to Baxter for comment. Her response was unavailable at the time of publishing.

Article by Noluthando Ngeno