GDE confirms investigations on allegations against ESD principal
Mabona said the protest, which took place at the ESD, necessitated the subsequent closure of the school.
The spokesperson of the Gauteng Department of Basic Education, Steve Mabona, confirmed the launch of the investigation into allegations levelled against the Ekurhuleni School for the Deaf (ESD) principal.
This follows learners boycotting classes on June 11 and 14 to protest for better learning conditions and against the alleged mismanagement of funds by the school management.
This was followed by a visit from the director of the DBE, Bucie Luthuli, at the school at Mofokeng Section, Katlehong, on June 14.
Luthuli met with stakeholders to listen to their concerns and to give recommendations. The stakeholders included political parties, teachers, parents and community members.
Mabona said the protest, which took place at the ESD, necessitated the subsequent closure of the school.
He said some learners and members of staff contracted Covid-19 as a result of the crowded disruption caused by protesting learners and community members.
Due to the high rate of infections, the Department of Health highly recommended the closure of the school until June 27.
One staff member succumbed to the virus over the weekend, he added.
“We can also confirm that allegations surrounding issues of governance and management are currently under investigation,” said Mabona.
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“Allegations of learners at the school engaging in sexual activity are unfounded as boy learners and girl learners sleep in separated hostels under the supervision of boarding masters and matrons. However, we will further probe the matter accordingly,” said Mabona.
Concerns raised by stakeholders during the meeting
• Lack of food and toiletries for learners.
• Learners having sex because they share single beds.
• Learners have to share one blanket during the winter session.
• School transport not reliable, learners arrive late at home, the drivers drink alcohol and sometimes leave learners behind.
• Some parents were required to pay school fees in a non-paying school.
Demands raised by stakeholders
• The stakeholders demanded the immediate removal of the principal, deputy principal and financial officer.
• The complete removal of the current SGB, the security company and the feeding scheme.
• Immediate independent auditing.
• Learners need beds and blankets.
Background story
On June 11, the Ekurhuleni EFF and concerned residents vowed to take over ESD, following complaints raised by learners, parents and teachers about the principal.
The learners burnt tyres inside the school premises during their demonstrations. The protest continued on June 14.
The regional chairperson of EFF, Nkululeko Dunga, said upon coming to the school, they found burning tyres.
“It was difficult for us to communicate with the learners because the school is for muted and deaf children, but what we managed to get was there were a lot of sensitive matters, such as the learners who stay at the school’s hostels being left hungry,” said Dunga.
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“We also found out that teachers were drinking and smoking during class hours. Learners were also complaining that the hostels were cold and they were made to sit down and sleep on the tile floor,” he said.
“There are also allegations that the principal is using money fruitlessly. We are also told that her husband allegedly owns the security company at the school, we are still investigating these allegations.
“We have decided with other public representatives, including political parties, the parents and community that we will take over the school until such a time that the Department of Education, the Department of Health or Social Development should come to address us because we have tried to engage them,” said Dunga.
Nomsa Dlamini, who is one of the parents, said she tried to engage with the principal as a concerned parent.
“We had a group of volunteers who were willing to help clean the school for free. I suggested that to the principal but she refused and said she does not have the authority,” Dlamini said.
