School in principal lockdown
Community has problem with Sadtu, department
Parents at another Gauteng school have threatened to block the appointment today of a black principal at their school because they claim it was done “secretly”.
Community members don’t want a new principal at Noordgesig Primary in Soweto until their grievances with the provincial education department are resolved.
Patriotic Association of South Africa community leader Rosie Harrison said education MEC Panyaza Lesufi publicly promised the community of Noordgesig that they could choose their own principal two years ago.
“At the time he [Lesufi] said even though it was against the normal practice and processes, he will make an exception.
“As the community, we have decided the primary school will be on lockdown and the new principal will not be allowed to enter the school gates.
“People should know our gripe is not against the individual or race but our rejection has to do with the promise that was made two years ago,” Harrison said.
This latest conflict comes three months after residents of Klipsruit West protested and forcibly removed a black principal from the school.
“All we want is for Lesufi to come to the negotiating table and resolve outstanding matters. We don’t want to repeat what happened at Klipsruit Secondary School.
“We are saying teachers from our community deserve fair opportunity. The community has also been made aware of the SA Democratic Teacher’s Union’s [Sadtu] role in continuous undermining of fellow teachers. We have been reliably informed that Sadtu plans to come and protest at the school which means that is the manner they choose to respond.”
Education spokesman Steve Mabona said: “We didn’t know about this but will monitor the situation. This is disappointing because principals are recommended by the school governing body.”
Sadtu could not be reached for comment.