REO officials to meet Nyamane teachers, pupils over grievances
NHLANGANO – Shiselweni Regional Education Office (REO) officials will meet teachers and later pupils of Nyamane High School to hear their grievances today.
This follows a protest that took place at the school wherein the pupils were demanding the dismissal of their head teacher.
The pupils vandalised the school furniture and broke a police car’s rear windshield after they (police) had gone to calm the situation at the school.
Tear gas was fired towards the pupils who were pelting the police with stones.
Protested
Less than a month ago, Nyamane pupils protested in the school, demanding that the school recall a teacher who was temporarily relieved of his duties as he was investigated for cases of allegedly having sexual relations with pupils. The teacher has since returned to the school and the pupils have started another protest.
It was gathered that some of the pupils’ grievances were that the head teacher was not giving them an audience on concerns they had with regard to their schoolwork. They stated that they were getting threats of being suspended each time they wanted to voice out their grievances, something they said did not go down well with them.
Instructed
The pupils alleged that they did not want the head teacher at the school anymore, hence the riot. It was gathered that some of the pupils were allegedly instructed by the teachers to protest as they also had grievances with the head teacher.
When called for comment, Nyamane High School Head teacher Goodness Mkhabela briefly said she was on sick leave.
In an interview with Deputy REO Gugu
Dlamini, she stated that they were concerned about the continuous riots at the school as they disturbed lessons. She stated that the pupils were without much time to finish the academic year, let alone those who were set to sit for their examinations. Dlamini said they would visit the school today to meet the teachers along with the school committee to hear their grievances.