Learning and teaching at the Mkhumbane Secondary school in Chesterville was disrupted again yesterday, following the sudden suspension of the principal.
According to the parent, who was present inside the school, Ms. Xolile Buhlalu, the principal, Mr. Ntokozo Ngobese, was suspended after a meeting with an inspector said to have been sent by the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal and the governing body of the school.
Mrs. Buhlalu revealed that after Ngobese’s suspension, the angry parents, who were camped outside the school gate, closed the school with a chain and a lock.
“Parents of Grade 12 students were called to a meeting to discuss the problem that is going on in the school due to the installation of cameras. While the meeting was still going on, another teacher came in and said that the meeting should be dissolved because the principal has been suspended,” said Ms. Buhlalu.
He went on to say that it was then that they found out that the inspector had come to the school and brought a letter to suspend the principal.
He pointed out that parents are speaking out about this issue as they suspect that their children are being used in teacher wars and disputes over positions.
He revealed that today the parents organized their own protest outside the school gate, as they are not in agreement with the suspension of the principal.
“We want an explanation of what the letter given to the principal is for,” he said.
He emphasized that the parents say the cameras are out of place and the principal needs him back.
Ms. Phumzile Kubheka, who belongs to a non-profit organization that has educational support programs, Ubhaqa Networks, said that they are worried about what is going on in school.
“Exams start on March 13. The children have been hampered in their studies for two weeks. We are worried about what they will write in the exams that are ten days away,” said Ms. Kubheka.
He emphasized that they do not see any bias in the principal as he has a good record in leading the school.
“The school’s matric has achieved 100% for nine years in a row. Parents are happy with the principal and his leadership,” said Ms. Kubheka.
He accused the teachers involved of pushing their own “agenda”, which has nothing to do with the cameras that they claim are the ones that caused the riots.
“They were called many times to come and explain why they don’t want them, they came. Even when Ngobese said it was okay he would take them out, they would come back. The only thing they know is to come every morning and sit at a joint near the school where they discuss about disrupting the children’s education,” he said.
In this school, 22 teachers, out of 39, abandoned teaching because they were fed up with the installation of cameras in the classrooms. It is said that the principal said that they were not included in order to stop the ongoing crime in the school. It is said that its installation did not sit well with the striking teachers as they indicated that it should be installed so that they are monitored when they are teaching.
Ms. Nomonde Matumtum, who is from the governing body of the school, said that she will not be able to say much as they are yet to have their meeting. However, he said he can confirm that the principal has been suspended.
Spokespersons for the Department of Education in the province were not available as usual.
