Durban - Seven Durban teachers, reinstated after being suspended amid allegations that they had been involved in sexual relations with pupils and supplied them with drugs, are to be temporarily replaced.
The move comes after the chaos at Thabela High School in Botha’s Hill this week, after education authorities instructed the seven teachers to return to class, apparently after their suspensions were lifted.
Members of the school governing body (SGB) locked the school gates on Monday after they heard that the teachers were returning because they had apparently been cleared of any wrongdoing.
On Wednesday the tension intensified, leading to the parents locking the Molweni ward schools inspector, Mduduzi Makhanya, inside the premises for more than eight hours.
But learning and teaching at Thabela High was expected to resume today as the SGB said the KZN Department of Education had agreed to send back the substitute teachers who had stood in for the seven since May.
They would be on a one-month contract until the matter was resolved.
SGB deputy chairman, Mpho Nkwanyana, said it was better to fight the battle while the children are in classes.
“We don’t understand this arrangement, but we are happy that the children will commence learning.”
Makhanya, the inspector, referred the Daily News to the department whose spokesman, Muzi Mahlambi, said he was not aware of the decision to send in substitute teachers.
Calls were made and text messages were sent to department head, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi seeking comment, but he could not be reached by the time of publication.
MEC Peggy Nkonyeni replied to queries with an SMS that said: “Thabela issues will be resolved in due course with the involvement of all stakeholders.”
Daily News