Pupils lose out as schools join go-slow over principal

THOUSANDS of Joburg pupils in 28 schools were not taught yesterday as the racial storm over the appointment of a black principal boiled over.

Coloured teachers in the south of Joburg embarked on a go-slow in solidarity with parents of Klipspruit West Secondary, who shut down the school last week demanding that a coloured or Indian be appointed as head of the school.

The parents from the mostly coloured area locked the gates and prevented pupils from entering the school in protest against the newly appointed black principal.

They demanded the department rescind the appointment in favour of a coloured candidate.

Charis Pretorius, the spokesperson for the Greater Eldorado Park Business Forum, said the number of schools that were on a go-slow was 28, and not nine as was announced by the department yesterday.

“There are more than 28 schools in the Eldorado region alone, and most of those schools are not teaching today,” Pretorius said yesterday.

She added that the community was hoping to meet the Gauteng MEC for Education to hand over a list of proposed resolutions that centred around the appointment of a new principal; preferably a coloured, Indian, or white.

Gauteng MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi condemned the go-slow.

“The department condemns the go-slow, as all the concerned parties are working tirelessly to resolve the impasse. The department implores teachers to adhere to the code of conduct and desist from taking part in any activities that compromise effective teaching.”

The Gauteng Education Department conceded that the issue would not be resolved overnight.

Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said Lesufi would have to follow a lengthy process to establish whether irregularities existed in the appointment of the black principal.

A teacher from one of the schools said coloured personnel within the education sector felt deprived of opportunities.