Cape Town - Teachers at a Mfuleni school were forced to leave the premises on Tuesday by protesters who want the provincial education department to replace them with people from the area.
As teachers from the so-called Parliament Street Primary got into their cars, the toyi-toying group, which included parents, followed to escort them off the premises of Bardale Primary.
Parliament Street Primary makes use of the buildings of Bardale Primary and was established earlier this year to accommodate pupils who were attending classes in a tent in the area.
In January the Cape Argus reported that “teachers at the tent school” said they were volunteering their services. About 800 pupils, who were unable to find places at other schools in the area, were attending their classes.
The Western Cape Education Department offered to transport the children to neighbouring schools, but Jessica Shelver, spokeswoman for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said community representatives had insisted on the “platooning option”.
This meant that children would be accommodated at Bardale Primary, where they attend classes from 1pm to 7pm. The department provided additional teachers and resources.
Community leader Bongani Tyembile said parents wanted the teachers and principal of Parliament Street Primary removed for reasons including that the school didn’t employ people from the area and didn’t include parents when making decisions.
“It is also very dangerous for the children to leave school at 7 at night. It is almost winter and it’s getting dark much earlier.”
He said another concern was that pupils had received report cards, which reflected marks for subjects they were never taught.
Shelver said the officials had “engaged extensively” with the community and, where possible, had tried to meet their demands.
“With regards to the appointment of teachers for the new Parliament Street Primary School, the community does not decide on who gets appointed or not. The community is preventing their own children from receiving an education. Any violence against our teachers will not be tolerated. The department has alerted the SAPS.”
She said the department was investigating claims that pupils had received marks for subjects not being taught at the school.
Cape Argus