News / Africa
Angry protesting parents dump three coffins at school
03 Feb 2016 at 13:40hrs | Views
PARENTS HAVE set out to show the unions and teachers how serious they are about their kids' education.
When teachers arrived for school they were greeted by gatvol parents and three coffins.
They reportedly threatened to bury the teachers alive.
The coffins were taken from a local funeral parlour and placed at Matshitsholo High School in Ulundi, KZN.
Daily Sun reported that the parents are demanding the immediate removal of the teachers.
They said the teachers are expected to be teaching pupils during school hours, but instead use the time to rest or take care of personal matters.
"You are putting the future of our children at risk," said the parents.
Worried parent Mthembeni Sokhela (47) told Daily Sun there is an ongoing fight at the school between teachers who belong to the National Teachers Union (Natu) and those who have joined the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu).
"I went to this school recently and found Sadtu teacher sitting under a tree. When the principal, a Natu member, told him he was supposed to be in class, the teacher told him to go there himself," said Sokhela.
He said the parents believe this is why the pass rate at the school had dropped. In 2014 and in 2015 only four pupils passed.
"How can children pass when teachers just sit around and still get a full salary every month?" asked Sokhela.
A worried grade 11 pupil shared her frustration with Daily Sun.
"Our teachers are selfish and they're gambling with our future. We find ourselves caught in the middle of something that has nothing to do with us. Most of the times we are just sitting around because teachers refuse to come to class," she said.
SGB chairman Zweni Mbatha said: "The situation is very tense. Angry parents threaten to bury the teachers alive if the department does not take action."
KZN Education spokesman Sihle Mlotshwa said the matter has reached their office.
"The MEC was due to hold a meeting at these school but had other commitments. She has sent a task team to meet the parents. We promise that a satisfying solution will be found," said Mlotshwa.
KZN Sadtu deputy secretary Dolly Caluza said: "We distance ourselves from speculations that the misunderstanding between teachers at this school is union-motivated. We will try our best to support the school."
Natu deputy president Allen Thomson also denied that the ongoing fight has anything to do with the unions.
"It started in 2014 when teachers reported the principal for mismanagement. Ever since then he has been provoking them in every possible way," Thomson said.
Thomson appealed to the community to stop threatening teachers with coffins.
When teachers arrived for school they were greeted by gatvol parents and three coffins.
They reportedly threatened to bury the teachers alive.
The coffins were taken from a local funeral parlour and placed at Matshitsholo High School in Ulundi, KZN.
Daily Sun reported that the parents are demanding the immediate removal of the teachers.
They said the teachers are expected to be teaching pupils during school hours, but instead use the time to rest or take care of personal matters.
"You are putting the future of our children at risk," said the parents.
Worried parent Mthembeni Sokhela (47) told Daily Sun there is an ongoing fight at the school between teachers who belong to the National Teachers Union (Natu) and those who have joined the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu).
"I went to this school recently and found Sadtu teacher sitting under a tree. When the principal, a Natu member, told him he was supposed to be in class, the teacher told him to go there himself," said Sokhela.
He said the parents believe this is why the pass rate at the school had dropped. In 2014 and in 2015 only four pupils passed.
"How can children pass when teachers just sit around and still get a full salary every month?" asked Sokhela.
A worried grade 11 pupil shared her frustration with Daily Sun.
"Our teachers are selfish and they're gambling with our future. We find ourselves caught in the middle of something that has nothing to do with us. Most of the times we are just sitting around because teachers refuse to come to class," she said.
SGB chairman Zweni Mbatha said: "The situation is very tense. Angry parents threaten to bury the teachers alive if the department does not take action."
KZN Education spokesman Sihle Mlotshwa said the matter has reached their office.
"The MEC was due to hold a meeting at these school but had other commitments. She has sent a task team to meet the parents. We promise that a satisfying solution will be found," said Mlotshwa.
KZN Sadtu deputy secretary Dolly Caluza said: "We distance ourselves from speculations that the misunderstanding between teachers at this school is union-motivated. We will try our best to support the school."
Natu deputy president Allen Thomson also denied that the ongoing fight has anything to do with the unions.
"It started in 2014 when teachers reported the principal for mismanagement. Ever since then he has been provoking them in every possible way," Thomson said.
Thomson appealed to the community to stop threatening teachers with coffins.
Source - Daily Sun
