School accused of exploiting boys sports prowess
The father of a rising sports star is embroiled in a court clash with a top Durban school, accusing it of buying his son and exploiting his abilities on the sports field while neglecting him in the classroom.
In what a report in The Mercury describes as a case that will put the spotlight on the practice of some schools poaching good sportsmen as image boosters, David Appiah, father of Kofi Appiah, accuses Glenwood High School of reneging on its constitutional obligations to his son. The issue came before court recently when the school attempted to get summary judgment against Appiah, an Eastern Cape teacher, for almost R75 000, which it claims he owes in respect of a bursary contract. However, Appiah was granted leave to defend the action. Appiah said that he intended leading evidence that the school actively pursues pupils with exceptional sports skills, buying them so that it gets good publicity. I will argue the constitutionality of such a practice, he said. The school has yet to file a response. Full report in The Mercury (subscription needed)