Concern over shambles at Mtuba High

A HIGH turnover of teachers, classes without teachers and pupils mistakenly kept back.

These issues were recently raised by concerned parents with children at Mtubatuba High School.

Grade 8 pupils have reportedly been short of teachers in four subjects since the beginning of the academic year, resulting in grave concerns over future results in these subjects and overall results at year-end.

Mtubatuba High School has been described as the only English-medium high school in the area, yet some teachers allegedly choose to teach in Zulu, sidelining non-Zulu speaking pupils.

When pupils voice their concerns over this practice, they are allegedly kicked out of class.

One pupil’s year-end report stated he had failed Grade 8 last year, however in mid-February he was told there had been a mistake and he must join the Grade 9 class.

This pupil’s experience was allegedly not an isolated incident, but no explanation was given, nor any apologies offered.

‘These children’s December holidays were ruined. They were laughed at by the others because they had to repeat,’ said a relative of one of the affected pupils.

‘The fault was with the school and the marking system. This, in my opinion, is not fair on these children.’

Parents of the pupils who had been mistakenly kept back are angry at this mistake, saying something needs to be done.

Education aside, hygiene issues were raised by one parent who said, ‘The toilets are disgusting and don’t appear to be cleaned regularly.’

With an alleged high turnover of teachers and classes with no teachers in Grade 8, unruly behaviour from the children is rife simply because there is no one to teach them.

Parents have received no communication from the school about these issues and whether or not they are being looked into.

When contacted for comment, the school principal said the Mtubatuba Circuit Cluster Manager, Mr Mashaba, would be the best point of contact.

Mr Mashaba, however, was consistently unavailable.

@TamlynJolly