Go back to class, REO tells head
SITEKI – Go back to class!
This was a firm directive issued by Lubombo Regional Education Officer (REO) Richard Dlamini to Lomahasha Central High School Head teacher Muzi Tsabedze on Tuesday.
The REO told Tsabedze, who was in the company of teachers and members of the school committee, that lessons should resume.
Dlamini further went to the school to address the teaching staff and members of the school committee following the suspension of lessons after the teachers collectively boycotted and called for the expulsion of a Form V pupil who was involved in a brawl with their colleague.
However, the pupils, in solidarity with one of their own, also threatened to boycott classes if the pupil was expelled from the school.
This incident took place barely a week after the reopening of schools last Tuesday.
Form III and Form V pupils were writing their practical examination on Tuesday with the embattled pupil also in attendance.
“The head teacher with his team met me in my office and we tried to reach a consensus that lessons should resume tomorrow (yesterday) and all pupils be recalled to class. I also went to the school to meet the teachers and the school committee so that we find a lasting solution to this matter,” he said.
The REO added that teachers should make it a priority to focus on teaching the learners to ensure that they were prepared ahead of the external examinations.
He emphasised that teachers should focus on covering the lost time.
Future
“It is imperative that we all put emphasis on the future of the pupils because they need teachers at this crucial time. I am optimistic that everything will fall into place and the learners will go back to class and focus on their books, and that applies to the teachers,” the REO said.
Minister of Education and Training Lady Mabuza said the REO should find a lasting solution to the impasse and ensure that the school resumed lessons.
When called, the pupil stated that he was allowed to write his practicals in Agriculture with the rest of the pupils.
“The head teacher told me to come and write the practicals and I am grateful that I was allowed back to class. I will now focus on my books and study hard to ensure that I do better in my examination,” said the pupil.
Meanwhile, last Friday, pupils were given letters summoning their parents to a meeting on Monday.
Lessons were abruptly suspended last Friday after the teachers boycotted teaching following the recalling of the suspended 29-year-old pupil, who had a scuffle with one of the teachers.
The teachers resorted to boycott teaching and told the head teacher that they would not return to class if the pupil, who had a fight with one of their own, was still at the school.
Lessons were suspended as the pupils also joined the fray and told the teaching staff that they would not return to class as well if their colleague was not allowed back.
On Monday, a standoff ensued as the teachers did not return to class, resulting in the head teacher meeting them and the parents with some members of his teaching staff.
During the meeting, it was established that the main issue on the agenda was the recalled pupil who had a scuffle with a teacher and the COVID-19 vaccination of pupils.
Over 20 parents attended this meeting. Lomahasha High was among the over 40 schools in the Lubombo Region where riots were witnessed last year resulting in the impromptu closure of schools by the ministry.