Learning and classes at Glenview Primary School in Brackenhurst have been disrupted owing to several teachers not reporting for duty.
According to the Department of Education spokesperson, Steve Mabona, 20 teachers at Glenview have been absent since March 6. The 20 staff members, who include 13 department employees and seven employed by the school governing body (SGB), have reportedly not gone to work due to being ill. The employees attribute the illness to stress and 10 of the employees have reportedly submitted medical certificates.
“The principal himself had been booked off sick until March 15 owing to stress and depression,” says Mabona in a response to the RECORD regarding the absent teachers. The teachers who were absent have been asked to write audi letters. Audi letters, according to the department, are letters requiring the perpetrators to explain in detail why they should not be charged or expelled.
The department states the recent absenteeism should be seen in the context of an ongoing conflict at the school. According to Mabona, there is an ongoing conflict within the school between a head of department and the school’s principal. This matter has been reported to the Department of Education in 2018.
Mabona states that both the district and the chief director’s office have been engaging with dispute management at the head office as well as the head of department’s office regarding a precautionary suspension or transfer of the head of the department implicated in the conflict. These precautionary measures have not yet been implemented and according to Mabona, this has contributed to the mass absenteeism of the teachers.
Parents of children attending Glenview Primary have expressed their concerns regarding the effect this absenteeism of teachers will have on their children’s learning. One parent spoke to the RECORD with concerns saying that despite teachers returning to school, her children say they are not working in class, but just reading. The department has stated the circuit is supporting the school with contingency plans for learners due to the effects of the absenteeism.
A large group of concerned parents went to Glenview Primary on March 15 to speak to the school about their concerns, which pertained largely to the influence the absence of the teachers is having on their children’s school careers.
In a meeting with the SGB chairperson, Tshepiso Olifant, the parents raised their concerns. According to Olifant, the origin of the problem lies with the dispute between the head of department, principal and two other officials. The school has, however, promised to ensure that all children receive their report cards by March 20. According to him a meeting with the MEC will take place on March 19.
The RECORD will follow up with the department regarding the developments of this matter.
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