Oceans Private School faces teacher backlash for alleged unfair treatment.
Teachers from Oceans Private School say that their alleged ill treatment has to come to an end. If a teacher is being mistreated, they will end up creating a hostile environment for their learners.
The Gauteng Department of Education (DOE) has confirmed that Oceans Private school, in Halfway House, Midrand, is operating legally, and has followed all protocols when it comes to registering the school, however, that did not put parents or teachers at ease, as they believe that the school’s polices are unfair, and possibly illegal.
Parents have been asking themselves if their children are safe at the school on Richards Drive, where teachers are allegedly being mistreated.
The paper has been made aware of damning allegations regarding teachers being forced to sign a form, which instructs them to leave their personal cell phones in steel lockers as soon as they enter the school premises. Failure to comply to this shocking instruction will result in a fine of R1 500.
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A teacher from the school, who asked to be kept anonymous, said the school was not in compliance with the South African School Act, due to the way they treat their staff members. The school act, as well as the Employment of Educators Act, addresses the protection of teachers from mistreatment and misconduct.
“Most teachers are unqualified and undocumented foreign nationals, and a teacher once taught at the school while she was on her second level of education. Teachers are required to mark with blue pens to be able to correct answers of the learners,” said the teacher.
A resident, whose sibling worked as a teacher, claimed that teachers are only paid for the days that they have worked. Hence, they do not get their salaries during school holidays.
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“Dismissals are issued via WhatsApp messages, which is neither professional nor legally acceptable. The school hires teachers who do not possess a South African Council for Educators (SACE) registration, or the proper documentation to work in the country. The individual serving as both HR personnel and principal reportedly lacks the necessary qualifications for these roles. Additionally, educators are paid only for the days they physically work, meaning school holidays result in unpaid periods, which significantly impacts financial stability.”
Information was shared, alleging that the principal took a picture of a learner through a window, while the student was sitting on top of a table, while the process of teaching and learning was underway. The teacher apparently had to bear the consequences of that, and as a punishment, a certain amount was deducted from his salary.
According to the school, they have already dealt with issues that keep arising, and are well within their rights to ask teachers not to use their cell phones. “No company will allow their employees to use cell phones during working hours. It’s worse, because we are a school.
Moreover, no one was dismissed via WhatsApp. Their term came to an end, and if their contract is not going to be renewed for the following term, we inform such members that their contract will not be renewed. We do not fire anyone without a hearing,” said the school. When asked about the allegations regarding the unqualified and undocumented teachers at the school, the principal refused to acknowledge the allegations and terminated communication with the paper.
The paper then contacted DOE spokesperson Steve Mabona regarding all these allegations. He said, although the department is not involved in employment contracts of independent schools, it is unethical for an employment contract to be terminated in the said manner (via WhatsApp).
“It must be noted that every school has policies that regulate their operations, and these must not violate the South African Schools Act,” said Mabona. “The school’s disciplinary code of conduct for educators will be based on the challenges that are faced by the school at a particular time.”
Going forward the DOE has urged everyone who is aware of a school that is operating illegally to report them.
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