4 more schools protest, head teacher accused of drawing gun

NHLANGANO – Another day, another protest by pupils!

The education sector continues to experience protests by pupils.

Yesterday, at least four more schools witnessed protests by pupils.

This brings the total number of schools where pupils protested to 14 this week.

Worth noting is that the four schools are also under the Shiselweni Region, where protests have been rife.

These are Qomintaba, Lulakeni, Sandleni and Madulini High.

Also, the pupils who protested in the other schools on Wednesday continued even yesterday.

The pupils are demanding; among other grievances, the release of the two MPs who are calling for change; Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza of Hosea Constituency and Mthandeni Dube of Ngwempisi Constituency.

However, at Madulini High the pupils added that they also wanted Wi-Fi.

Grievances

At Lulakeni, it was gathered that the pupils also had grievances with the head teacher.

They alleged that the head teacher drew a gun on them last Thursday when they were protesting and further threatened them.

The pupils said they were not happy with the head teacher and wanted him out of the school as they did not feel safe.

Yesterday, the pupils had a petition prepared for the head teacher, calling for his exit.

It was also established that some of the pupils who were leading the protest last week were told to come back with their parents and this made the others fight for their colleagues.

It is said that police officers were called to calm the situation and the pupils left the school.

This happens at a time when officials from of the Shiselweni Regional Education Office (REO) had visited the school early this week following last week’s protest.

Meeting

All the pupils from the four schools said they were going to school on Monday, following the meeting they would have over the weekend on what they were going to do next.

Some of the pupils who took part in the protest on Wednesday including those from Jericho High, were turned back yesterday as soon as they began protesting.

Some of the pupils who hung around the shops alleged that they were assaulted by police officers.

It was established that a pupil from Jericho was bleeding yesterday and had to be rushed to hospital.

When called for a comment, some of the head teachers referred this reporter to the REO.

Deputy REO Sibongile Zwane said she was frustrated and disappointed about what was happening in schools.

She said some of the pupils who were protesting were from schools recently visited.

“I am even wondering if the pupils will stop once the MPs are out. Will they even learn or they just do not want to learn at all?” she asked.

Zwane said she felt society was dealing with an angry generation, including people who did not make it in school and those who did but never secured employment.

On the issue of Lulakeni High School, Zwane said they engaged the head teacher and he said he never drew a gun on anyone.

She said the head teacher told them that he took the gun from the car and put it in his pocket.

She further addressed the issue of a circulating audio of pupils alleging that teachers were having sexual relations with learners.

She said they asked the pupils to come to them or the Ministry of Education and Training to name the teachers for investigations.