Parents angry over Grade 1 pupil move

THE principal of Sokhanyo Primary school in Gugulethu is facing a revolt from within.

Thetha Sithole said parents toyi-toyied outside the school on Wednesday and Thursday and shut down the school yesterday.

Sithole said the drama started earlier this week when a Grade 1 teacher and the foundation phase, were told that their classrooms would be moved.

“This teacher told me that she had already cleaned her classroom and that she would not move. We decided to move the foundation phase classes closer to the admin block for safety reasons.”

The principal said teachers had been told the reason for the move at the end of last year and again on Monday when teachers returned.

The foundation phase classes were at the back of the school and were being moved closer to the front.

Sithole said on Wednesday, parents came to the school with their own locks and barred him from entering.

“I went to the police station and at the same time the district officials also arrived and they had a meeting with the parents. The Grade 1 teacher also had a meeting with the officials,” said Sithole.

Sithole said when he was finally allowed into his office, parents stormed into the admin block and demanded that he leave the school.

Sithole said the announcement that the school would be closed yesterday came from an acting HOD and not the principal.

Western Cape Education Department spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond confirmed that district officials visited the school. A case of assault is being investigated.

Classes will resume on Monday.