Parents remove children from school

NTJIE Mothapo Primary School in Ga-Mothapo outside Mankweng came under fire last week when parents removed their children from the school’s premises shortly after the schools opened last Wednesday.

Parents were in negotiations with the school for weeks before the new academic year started because they claimed that three of the school’s teachers were violent and used corporal punishment to discipline learners, and they wanted these teachers removed. The negotiations failed and parents made the decision to remove their children from school.

One of the unhappy parents, Mologadi Mothapo said they could not trust these teachers with their children. “The department must remove them from our school because they are dangerous,” he said.

On Monday, the parents met with department of education officials to discuss the matter and to try and put their dispute to rest. The situation soon escalated into chaos and the police had to be called to monitor the situation as parents were furious that these teachers were not reprimanded.

Another parent, who wanted to stay anonymous said the department agreed that a task team consisting of departmental officials and parents would investigate the allegations against the three teachers.

Department of education spokesperson, Phuti Seloba said there were several issues that needed to be investigated at the school.

“The parents agreed to let the school continue with its work until the task team comes to a conclusion,” he said.