MEC simply a bully

SINCE Debbie Schäfer was appointed MEC Education in 2015 I have seen her to be a bully and she has handled serious educational matters in a very “kragdadig” manner – something both the ANC and DA are experts at.

She was a councillor for Bergvliet but was never a person who considered the views of all her constituents. My first encounter with her was as part of a Progressive Principals’ Association (PPA) delegation that met with her and Penny Vinjevold (former head of Western Cape Education) last year.

During this meeting, Debbie Schäfer more than once said she liked meeting with the PPA in this manner instead of people airing their views in the media.

I was forced to say that if she was referring to me, I did go to the media because WCED does not listen to principals in formal meetings.

I raised the issue, at that meeting, of the anti-teacher Labour Relations (LR) Department of WCED. I accused the LR of victimising teachers who dared to discipline students in schools.

Up to now, WCED has taken no positive steps to prevent the rising tide of ill-discipline in the schools. The way she treated the students of Equal Education who demonstrated at her home bears testimony to her arrogance. It is an indictment on any politician when the public have to demonstrate at a politician’s home.

EE demonstrated at her home because she was not prepared to sit down and discuss their grievances.

She treats poor people with disrespect (yet protects the principal of San Souci Girls’ High accused by students of being racist) and should immediately be dismissed as Education Minister in the Western Cape.

She behaves in this manner because she has the support of Premier Helen Zille. Further to being power-drunk, she now panders to the whims of many of the Model C principals who want to use alcohol (a drug) to make money for these schools.

I thought schools were safe places where social ills are frowned on.