Grade 8 to 11 learners only managed to write their first exams days later on Wednesday, November 10, after the community got involved. This is the result of the friction which has been intesifying in the past few months after the Department of Education appointed a new principal in August this year. Some members of the community, including the school governing body (SGB), and parents do not have faith in the new principal.
They wanted the former acting principal who was filling in for six months earlier this year to be permanetly appointed as they believed she performed well. As a result of the squabbles the principal has decided not to go to work and has been staying at home. She was followed by the treasurer and the clerk of the school who also stayed at home stating that they cannot attend without the presence of the new headmaster.
These actions have disadvantaged the learners and the school’s general workers who were not paid because the treasurer could not release the funds. On the day of exams the learners were told that they could not write, because the school did not have stationery to administer the exam. Things changed when community members started intervening and asked for donations from locals so that they could buy resources for the school.
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Vusi Mawila, representing Doors of Hope, a forum for ex-offenders, was one of the people who requested the Majeje Tribal Authority to donate stationery. Those donations assisted the learners to start writing their exams. However, the situation is still far from resolved. Stakeholders held a meeting on Sunday but no consensus was reached. The Department of Education agrees that current situation at the school is not deemed ideal and conducive to teaching and learning. Provincial spokeswoman, Tidimalo Chuene told the Herald that they remain committed to ensuring that schooling returns to normal.
“It is not true that the former principal was producing good results. She only worked for more or less five months. “She was also not acting, but permanently appointed by the department at the school. “However, her appointment was legally challenged by another candidate who upon winning the case, we were instructed to appoint her the principal of the school. “As a department we have to abide by court rulings,” she concluded.
