Learners at an Umgababa school have claimed they were sent home by their principal and was told to return with money to hire new educators.
However, principal of Esizibeni Sivananda Comprehension School, Sipho Gumbi denied these claims and said learners are lying to their parents about his message which he says has been distorted.
One of the parents, who wished to remain anonymous, told the SUN his daughter, who is in grade 11 at the school, was sent home on Tuesday, 3 April and she was only allowed to return with R200 from her parents. “I sent her to school on Wednesday, but the same thing happened and the principal sent them home again in the morning. She said all the children were told they have to pay towards hiring new educators.”
The parent said he suspects the school is targetting grade 11 and 12 learners in a bid to scare their parents into paying in fear of their children failing the crucial grades. “Some of the other parents I have spoken to said they are concerned about their children failing and they need to hurry up and pay.
He also said parents are forced to pay for the school cleaners’ salaries, which he feels is unfair as they pay school fees. “I’m not going to pay extra now. A lot of the parents are complaining about this and many are scared to confront the principal because they say he is rude to them. ”
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Principal Gumbi said those parents who are complaining have not understood the message being conveyed. “I had a meeting with some of the parents on 15 March. I told them we do have to hire new teachers and we cannot afford to, and those parents who can afford it said they will assist where they can.
“I have not chased any of the learners away. If they have told their parents, who were not at the meeting, that they were told to only return to school with R200, they are lying. We need maths and science teachers for grade 10 and 11 and we do not receive any assistance from the KZN Department of Education, so we have to find the money ourselves.”
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