Hostel closed for learners at Estralita Special School in Lydenburg
"Unions are ruling the Department of Education," said a parent.
The hostel of Estralita Special School has been closed since April 12.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) disrupted Estralita Special School by locking learners and some employees inside the school premises on March 8, over wage and employment equity disputes.
After the disruption on March 8 tensions at the school continued to rise.
A mother from Steelpoort, who requested to remain anonymous, said her son was traumatised by the violent protests at the school’s gates, and the school’s offices being vandalised. He does not want to return to school.
They live in Steelpoort and he was a hostel resident. It is impossible for her to bring him to Estralita every day.
“I am one of the parents who live in Steelpoort and was forced to put my child in the hostel because it was no longer safe for him to use the bus because high school children assaulted him. The bus driver taught him to curse people on the street. And now he has been home since the strike and cannot go to school,” said the parent.
Another parent told Steelburger/Lydenburg News, “Unions are ruling the Department of Education”.
The shift workers at the hostel did not return to work after April 12 and this made it impossible for learners to stay there during the week. However, the school is open for day learners.
The circuit manager, Gerald Mokoena, and Bohlabela district director, Lorraine Goba, issued a letter to parents and staff that they will give feedback on May 22.
Points to be addressed are the hostel closure, reinstating a principal, and Nehawu’s opposition to the school governing body (SGB) managing the school. The district and circuit made the suggestion that the duties of the SGB be outsourced.
Steelburger/Lydenburg News requested feedback from the Mashishing Circuit and Bohlabela District numerous times. None had been received at the time going to press.
