Protesting parents blockaded the department of education offices in Gqeberha on Tuesday, preventing vehicles from entering or leaving, and leading to the intervention of the public order police.
While the standoff quickly petered out, angry parents remained resolute that they would not leave until officials provided answers about the conditions pupils learn under at Mzomtsha Primary School in Kwazakhele.
Vuyiswa Sizani, a parent of a grade 7 pupil, said children were forced to use bucket toilets and brave cold winters in classrooms with no windrows.
“But worst of all, this year, the department removed four teachers from the school, leaving only five,” she said.
“One teacher is responsible for four to five classes while they are mixing pupils from different grades in some instances.
“We have children who have learning disabilities. They need extra assistance from teachers but cannot get that attention.”
She said they had resorted to disrupting the district offices because officials had failed to honour a commitment to meet parents last week.
The small group, joined by members of the MK party, sang and brandished placards outside the offices while members of the school governing body (SGB) held a meeting inside.
A similar situation unfolded at Lamani Primary School in New Brighton.
The school’s SGB chair, Linda Dube, said parents had closed the school for two days in response to the department’s failure for 15 years to provide a fence for the school.
The lack of a fence had led to wanton vandalism over the holiday period.
“All the toilets have been destroyed. They broke into the kitchen, stole cooking equipment and food and now there is no way to operate the feeding scheme,” Dube said.
“Lamani has not had a fence for 15 years. What was left was completely stolen and removed.
“There are people who just walk on the premises during school hours, compromising the safety of learners and teachers.”
Dube said they had been informed the school would be fenced in the coming financial year starting in April.
“We are now going back to the parents to see if they will accept that report,” she said.
Eastern Cape education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said Mzomtsha Primary had lost teachers because of declining pupil numbers.
“The school now has 190 learners and the parents are objecting to multi-grade teaching.
“One teacher has retired and one is on a long sick leave.
“Another three have been placed and they have to move as per district task team and provincial task team resolutions.
“So teachers have to move. We will always try to see how best to alleviate and mitigate the situation,” he said.
On Lamani Primary, he said the department would try to accommodate the school in the next financial year.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.