Teacher shortage sparks outrage

ANGRY parents shut down La Trobe Primary School yesterday to get the Department of Education’s attention about the school’s teacher shortage.

The school, in Enon about 20km from Kirkwood, has had a serious teacher shortage for more than three years.

It has six teachers, but two have been booked off on extended sick leave.

The 60 parents have vowed that should more teachers not be hired, the gates will remain locked until a plan is established.

Acting principal Hugh Koeberg said: “We are working under dire circumstances, with a number of teachers having to teach two or three different grades.

“We have two teachers on sick leave, which affects the learning of the children.”

The school has 250 pupils but had to employ a retired teacher to fill an SGB post.

“We find ourselves in a situation where we need to employ parents from the community who are willing to help,” Koeberg said.

John Finiss, 31, whose son is in Grade 3, said: “[The department] needs to intervene and appoint the much-needed teachers. If they can’t, they need to explain why.”

At a meeting with parents last week, principal Gabriel Claasen – who is on sick leave until March 31 – asked parents to help pay for a newly appointed Grade R teacher.

But Koeberg said this was an unfair request.

“We are a no-fee-paying school so it would be unreasonable to expect a cent from the community,” he said.

He said a meeting was scheduled on Monday with the department.

Department spokesman Malibongwe Mtima failed to comment.