Poor pupil allegedly made to take non-regulation shirt off in class

Johannesburg – An 8-year-old girl allegedly had to take her shirt off in front of her Grade 2 class because her mother couldn't afford the school's regulation golf shirt.

"The teacher told her class mates to laugh at her," her mother told Netwerk24.

The Gauteng education department has started an inquiry into the incident which took place earlier this year at the Metropolitan College.

The girl's mother, a single parent, said she couldn't afford the shirt so her daughter wore another shirt.

She said her child was also refused entry to the school a week ago because of unpaid school fees.

"They sent my child alone into the streets of Joburg to go home," the mother, who lives in Hillbrow, said.

She said her child cried often and she has decided to keep her home.

Netwerk24 visited the school on Tuesday morning but the principal, NP Timile, refused to comment on the matter.

Oupa Bodibe, acting spokesperson for the Gauteng education department, said the department is very worried about the allegations.

"We will send a team to investigate," he said.

He said no child should be refused entry to a school or be humiliated for outstanding school fees.