Moletjie parents close school

POLOKWANE – Parents of learners at Seshigo High School in Moletjie, Mabokelele have blocked the school gates and they said they will keep them closed until the Department of Education appoints a mathematics teacher at the school.

The School Governing Body (SGB) Chairperson, Kolobe Mpyana, said due to the lack of a mathematics teacher, learners have been unable to attend mathematics classes for the past five weeks.

This led to the parents taking drastic action until their grievances can be resolved.

“We have written numerous requests tot he department with regard to our dire need for a mathematics teacher, however, we have to date not received any response.

This lack of a mathematics teacher will severely affect this year’s pass rate but it seems the department simply does not care.

We had several interviews with mathematics teachers last year but the department has not appointed any of the suitable candidates,” Mpyana said.

He said the parents have had enough which is why they decided to close the school until MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe takes action “as it seems it is the only language the department understands”.

Mpyana said the circuit manager appointed a new principal at the school who is expected to start on 2 March but parents are not hopeful that this will help the learners.

“We will not rest until this matter is resolved. About 67 learners failed last year because of the lack of teachers at the school,” Mpyana added.

The shortage of teachers is not exclusive to Seshigo High School as the parents of Westenburg Secondary School learners in the city also recently took to the streets in protest of the lack of Afrikaans speaking teachers at the school

Department of Education Spokesperson, Dr Naledzani Rasila, confirmed the situation at the school. “There are several teachers who can teach maths at the school. The new principal started duty on Thursday,” he says.

Rasila urged parents to report corrupt activities should this be suspected.

endy@nmgroup.co.za