One parent complained, but… – school

MBABANE - Only one parent is said to have complained to the school about the tough sporting activities. The Head teacher, Boy Khumalo, said the activities that the children were engaged in were normal. He said it was not military and he wondered why there were some complaints. “I am also usually there and it is normal,” said Khumalo.

He said if there were any concerns, it would be understood if the pupils were not able to participate on medical grounds. He said the school was preparing pupils for athletics and that those with medical concerns were told not to participate.

Khumalo acknowledged that he had been called by a concerned parent but he was in a meeting at the time. He said he told the parent to approach the school last Thursday if there were concerns. Khumalo said the parent complained that her child arrived home fatigued due to the alleged vigorous sporting activities.

Khumalo also revealed that in the past, parents had been advised not to be afraid to approach the school if they had concerns. “We are not here to abuse children,” he said.

The head teacher said there was no way they would allow pupils not to participate in sports. He said sports were part of the academic system and should be done concurrently. Khumalo said the school communicated to the parents that sports were compulsory except for children who had doctors’ notes stating that they were not permitted to do sporting activities.

Doctors

However, he said the school did not accept word of mouth from pupils who would claim they were not fit to do sports. “Otherwise, if we allow anyone not to participate without doctors’ notes, everyone will avoid sports,” he said.

The head teacher also advised that any concerned parent was free to attend and watch what kind of sports the children were engaged in. “Even you can come and observe without letting us know in advance,” said Khumalo, insisting that there was nothing unusual happening.