Teacher’s assistant post prompts outcry from residents
Community members from the OR Tambo informal settlement staged a protest outside Mablomong Intermediate School, alleging unfairness in the appointment of a teacher's assistant.
Residents of the OR Tambo informal settlement protested outside Mablomong Intermediate School over what they believe was an unfair hiring process for a vacant teacher’s assistant position.
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Motex Daniel, a resident of the informal settlement and one of the protesters, explained that they protested outside the school at about 06:00 on May 26.
“We wanted to deliver the message to the district officials about the unfair process of interviews and shortlisting of candidates for the position of a Phase 5 Teacher’s Assistant, as well as corruption within the School Management Team and School Governing Body including taking bribes for the job and shortlisting candidates who don’t meet the requirements such as people who don’t live within 5km of the school,” said Daniel.
He noted their intent for the protest was to grab the attention of the district officials and resolve the matter.
Daniel added, “The residents of the informal settlement need this job. The District Co-ordinator of Employment Initiatives should take action.”
Busisiwe Nkosi, the school principal, confirmed that teaching and learning continued after the protesters were cleared from the scene.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) was aware of what transpired at the school on Monday. Spokesperson Steve Mabona said their officials and the police were dispatched to the school to mediate.
We strongly condemn the disruption of schools and urge all stakeholders to use available structures to raise issues of concern and not to disrupt schooling.
“Lost contact time is not easily recovered. We will continue to monitor the situation and intervene closely,” Mabona concluded.
