Learners in eMbalenhle demand more teachers
The matric class of Ikusasalethu Secondary School do not have teachers in maths or life science.
Ikusasalethu Secondary School learners in eMbalenhle disrupted their classes, demanding that the Department of Basic Education in Mpumalanga intervene in the shortage of teachers at their school.
These learners began their protest on April 18.
They claim they are struggling with their studies due to the shortage of teachers and they accused the school management of turning a blind eye to the problem.
“Since the school’s opening in January, we don’t have a mathematics teacher and during maths period we are left unattended,” said a disgruntled learner.
Some of the teachers went on pension.
“Management knew these teachers were leaving. Why were these teachers not replaced in time? We are the ones suffering and it affects our school work and marks. We want the department to come and tell us when we will have teachers,” said a learner.
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The school year is already in its second quarter and learners are approaching the June exams.
“What are we going to write because, since January, we have learnt nothing,” another learner said.
The matric class does not have a life sciences teacher.
“This is one of the most difficult subjects and we need a teacher. We don’t want to be given marks out of pity with an excuse that we didn’t have a teacher. We want to work hard ourselves to deserve our marks,” said another concerned matriculant.
“Our parents are quiet about our problem. We decided to act because we are the ones that will suffer when it is exam time,” said another worried learner.
The protest continued on April 19. The department spokesperson, Jasper Zwane, said the department is waiting for the report from the district office for the department to agree on an action plan.
