A CLASH among learners at Centenary Secondary School in Asherville, Durban has taken a toll on teaching and learning, resulting in early closure on Tuesday. On Wednesday, parents gathered outside the school gates, demanding answers, and safety assurance from the school principal.

In an emotional posture, parents cited that the school principal and the School Governing Body (SGB) often show racial favouritism when it comes to dealing with disciplinary issues of learners.

Also read: Violent clash leads to early closure at Asherville school

“We have been standing here outside the gates; they won’t let us in. The principal only told us to leave. The school management is failing dismally to address matters of racism here. Some teachers are openly verbally abusive to black children, and when the matter is reported, the school takes no action. The only solution is to remove the current principal and dissolution of the SGB,” shared Busisiwe Mthembu who has three children attending the school.

Another visibly indignant parent blamed the SGB and school management for being docile.

“We are disappointed at the way the school is run. Learners sell and consume drugs within the school premises, and now they are fighting among one another for dealing territories. These are kind of conflicts that emanate from the surrounding communities and pour into the school premises. The school must meet with parents urgently and give assurance of safety of our children,” he said.

All the parents agreed that the school’s standard of teaching and learning is excellent, with impressive results, however matters of ill discipline and criminality must be dealt with by a “decisive school management”.

On Tuesday, while parents and police were outside the premises, the district and provincial education management, with SGB and safety personnel, held a meeting to carve the way forward.

Muzi Mahlambi, spokesperson for the KZN Department of Education, assured that learning and teaching in the school was under control and “continues as normal”.

“We have received the reports of the conflicts in the school and we are here to meet with relevant stakeholders in order to reassure the parents that the school’s operation is monitored. We are relieved that the community members and parents showed interest in finding solutions. We always encourage progressive interaction among stakeholders to ensure that schools remain a safe environment,” Mahlambi said.

Learners were inside the classrooms on Wednesday, although some parents admitted that they did not allow their children to be at school until the principal gave them assurance of safety.

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