Squabbling teachers, pupils disrupt learning
WITH the school year in full swing, learning at Mnyakanya High School, near President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead, has been disrupted by squabbling teachers, which has affected pupils and residents.
Pupils from Kwashange village and Kwanxamalala (Zuma’s village) have been fighting for two weeks.
According to some residents, teachers were scrambling for positions and were pitting pupils against each other to achieve their goals.
Had officials from the Department of Education delayed intervention, the school would have collapsed, said a teacher who asked not to be named.
The disruption prompted King Cetshwayo district officials to intervene, but they wouldn’t comment and directed enquiries to the department.
The school, which was opened by Zuma, then deputy president, in 2004, was one of the worst performers last year with a matric pass rate of 16%.
On Thursday, police raided the school and found a number of weapons, including knives, pangas and an axe. Seven suspects were arrested and charged with the possession of dangerous weapons.
It is unclear if any pupils were suspects. The police are still investigating.
On Friday, the school operated under the parents’ watchful eyes.
Ntombi Hadebe said she decided to accompany her child because she felt it was unsafe. “I can’t allow my only child to go alone. I don’t know what might happen to him at school or on the way to school.”
The beating of a pupil about two weeks ago by other pupils heightened tensions among parents and pupils.
ANC ward councillor Bongokwakhe Mbambo said a series of meetings with the school governing body have been held, which have borne fruit.
“The situation has spiralled out of control and things turned ugly. But I’m happy now that we are making progress. All that is needed to curb what is happening is for us to work together as residents.”
Mbambo said it was difficult to deal with the problem as there was finger-pointing.
“No one wants to take responsibility. But what is important is to map a way forward. It is sad because it is our children who are suffering.”
ANC Youth League leaders from the branches in the villages also held a meeting on Friday to find a solution. They said they had a plan but couldn’t disclose it as they did not want the perpetrators to know about it.
Police will continue to monitor the situation.
Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Sihle Mlotshwa, did not respond to questions at the time of going to print.