Calm expected in Eldos’ classes

Hopes high for teaching and learning to resume

Normal teaching is expected to resume today in Eldorado Park where hundreds of teachers downed tools last week following the barring of four teachers at Klipspruit West Secondary School.

Learning was halted last week after community members prevented four teachers from entering the premises, accusing them of discriminating against and assaulting coloured pupils.

In response, the SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) pulled out its members from 30 schools in Eldorado Park.

However, Gauteng acting MEC for education Jacob Mamabolo said yesterday the department was confident that learning will begin after meetings were held with community leaders and Sadtu.

“We engaged Sadtu to ensure we create better conditions for the school. We expect proper learning to take place because we are approaching exams. We intend on meeting the union’s provincial leadership tomorrow [today] to appeal for teaching to continue,” Mamabolo said.

He said issues raised by the community have been escalated to the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) which has taken on the task of overseeing the grievances process.

Meanwhile, the Gauteng education department announced that the school’s governing body has been dissolved after it failed in its function to govern the school adequately.

Anthony Williams, a member of Patriots of Equality that has been at the forefront of protests at the school, said they would cooperate with the SAHRC.