INLSA

Non-performing teachers at mercy of angry parents.

Parents cannot expel non-performing teachers from schools but must work through legal channels, the National Congress of School Governing Bodies said on Tuesday.

Congress general secretary Monokoane Hlobo, said in an interview he was concerned that parents who disciplined teachers would impede education and damage the relationship parents enjoyed with education authorities.

The congress represents 500 school governing bodies across the country.

There have been isolated incidents at schools like Hohle Primary, Lebelo Primary, and Katanelo Primary in the Free State, where parents had tried to expel under-performing teachers, he said.

“The role of school governors is to support principals with their professional duties and responsibilities so that effective teaching and learning can take place,” Hlobo said.

In turn, principals should supervise teachers and report back to parents about their school's performance every quarter.

“We encourage all schools to follow proper channels when dealing with teacher-related problems to avoid unnecessary disruption of education.”

Hlobo said parents were upset when their children were given poor reports and blamed teachers. They also became upset when teachers were absent from school.

“We call on school governing bodies to stop expelling teachers as this is illegal, but rather to find amicable solutions to their problems.”

Sapa