I’d rather be out of teaching than to sell myself out

ON MARCH 4, 2016 I was suspended by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) because it had decided to charge me with a third set of trumped-up disciplinary charges.

This included a pupil I put out of school for one day for ill-discipline. Subsequently when I left the school, the pupil was found guilty of serious misconduct and recommended for expulsion.

WCED refused to expel, obviously. Two sets of charges were already being heard at two disciplinary hearings. On September 9, 2016 the minister of education in the Western Cape confirmed my dismissal from teaching because I allegedly brought WCED into disrepute by writing two articles about its labour relations department. This was after serving for 39 years.

On February 9, 2017 I was dismissed a second time because I allegedly assaulted a pupil.

The chief prosecutor at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court withdrew the assault charge brought by his parents.

Not a word of thanks from WCED for my 39 years of service. Yet the previous principal of San Souci who students accused of racism was lauded by WCED. No charges were brought against her. Trying to ensure discipline and intellectual debate is worse than being an alleged racist.

After having taken the matter of suspension to the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), I encountered technical arguments put up by the ELRC.

I have also encountered technical problems with the ELRC on my dismissals. It seems as if the ELRC is not an independent body, but a body firmly on the side of the education authorities.

I deny all the trumped-up charges brought against me.

I still believe that WCED conducted a political witch hunt because of my criticisms levelled at it over decades: rationalisation of teachers, OBE, closing down teacher training colleges, passing pupils who have failed, irrelevant national examinations, to name but a few.

All the criticisms levelled at the education authorities have been proven to be correct.

The financial cost of trying to get justice for an ordinary individual is enormous.

I still hold that WCED in its present state is an anti-teacher organisation. Unless WCED is prepared to consult its teachers on policy decisions, it will constantly wage war against its teachers.

Just recently a teacher was dismissed by WCED because it alleged that he did not fill in a rubric (a table containing guidelines as how to mark) when doing an oral examination with students. His dismissal was confirmed by the ELRC. I have numerous cases where teachers have been dealt with harshly by WCED where a simple consultation process would have yielded a peaceful resolution.

The lack of discipline among pupils in South Africa is due to the lax attitude WCED has towards pupils.

WCED must take full responsibility for the brutal stabbing of a principal recently. In my numerous writings, I warmed them about declining standards in discipline.

To me it appears that (if any teacher has a problem with WCED), that teacher will be penalised or dismissed.

I firmly believe that WCED’s disciplinary regulations are “kragdadig”, outdated and need to be examined and changed.

I leave the official teaching profession with the knowledge that I tried to do my best, developing South Peninsula High School with others into one of the best educational institutions in South Africa.

The WCED, against the wishes of the community, dismissed me not because I was incompetent, but because I dared challenge its hegemony. There were no petitions to WCED from parents, teachers and students wanting my dismissal.

There were no protesters in front of the school gates wanting me to be dismissed. It was politically motivated. As Debbie Schäfer said, I do not fit into the present regime.

Both the DA and ANC boast about how democratically they run state institutions. There are many examples in SA where persons who oppose their views are sorted out by state institutions.

In the Western Cape the DA has relentlessly used its members to pursue me in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on noise nuisance and so-called hate speech. It can never be coincidental that charges are brought against me by their members in the area and WCED at the same time.

I am sure that the school will continue to be a beacon of light to others. My message I leave for teachers generally is: be principled, do not be dishonest because you are vying for promotion posts.

To certain vindictive and manipulative officials in WCED toeing the DA and ANC line, and my opponents, I say you cannot destroy ideas.

To those who gave me their support, I thank you. I will continue to side with the poor and work in organisations trying to create a caring and sharing society. I am out in the cold in teaching but I prefer that than being dishonest to myself.

I am glad that I made the choice in 1994 never to vote until we have a caring and sharing society. It seems that my only option now is to go to court. Brian Isaacs Lansdowne