The Grade 12 pupils of Ngodini High School raised their voices in protest over an alleged severe shortage of teachers, especially educators of specific subjects, on Monday, May 5.
They protested from the morning until midday by blockading the entrance with burning tyres, thus preventing access for teachers, school staff and other pupils. The police were deployed to clear the scene.
The protesters claimed that the lack of teachers will have a negative impact on their performance in the upcoming mid-year exams. They said the shortage is due to absenteeism and some educators being redeployed without replacements, leaving the pupils with inadequate support.
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One of the Grade 12 pupils, Promise Nyalunga, said that aside from the numerous holidays, they have not done much schoolwork since the second term began last month. “We have had lessons on only two subjects. We arrive at school early, then do nothing, yet our tests and exams are looming,” she said.
The pupils also demanded that additional grievances be raised at school governing body meetings. Specifically, they want the school infrastructure to be renovated and for more food to be made available in the school feeding scheme, in order to provide enough for every pupil.
“We have sent our parents to raise the issues and nothing is being done. Some learners go home without eating because there is not enough food. The reason for the inadequate food supply is unknown. We need a new principal,” said another Grade 12 pupil, Lucky Mhlanga.
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The protesters demanded to be addressed by the Mpumalanga Department of Education as soon as possible. Operations at the school went back to normal on Tuesday, May 6.
According to the Mpumalanga Department of Education’s spokesperson, Gerald Sambo, an urgent meeting was held at the school on Monday afternoon and a decision was made that learning and teaching should resume while the department investigates the claims.
