DA oversights troubled Emzimvubu Primary

Democratic Alliance (DA) returned to the troubled Emzimvubu Higher Primary School, in Meadowlands on Friday to conduct an oversight inspection.

This comes amid complaints from parents who have raised concerns about a teacher who they alleged was neglecting his duties.

The group of dissatisfied parents said they were concerned that the learners’ education was getting compromised as the teacher was always absent and failed to teach when he was around.

They also levelled allegations of drug use by the teacher during school hours.

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DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Khume Ramulifho said, “We are here to ensure that these learners are not deprived of access to education.

“It was confirmed that the teacher was suspended but was now back as of the new month of August.

“What we are not sure about, what were the terms and conditions of the suspicion and what needs to be done moving forward,” Ramulifho said.

According to officials at the school, they have engaged with the District Office on this matter and were awaiting feedback.

Ramulifho said the allegations were a major concern as the academic year had commenced the third term and would soon be preparing for final examinations.

“I will establish with the MEC what interventions have been made and what they are going to do because it seems parents were happy with the substitute teacher who was here when the current teacher was on suspicion.

We will take it forward so these kids are not denied access to be taught, especially maths as a critical subject.

“It is such instances why learners are choosing other subjects while we have a huge demand to pursue scarce skills like maths and science subjects.”

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Urban News understands that the teacher was suspended for two months by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) after parents shut down the school, barring learners entry to the school until the matter was resolved.

They also told the publication that a petition was also drawn up by the parents demanding the teacher’s dismissal.

Parent, Simangele Dlamini said they were fed up with the teacher’s presence at the school. She lashed out, blaming the district officials for not presenting a permanent resolution on the matter.

“This teacher injects in full display of our children and they come and report back. We know that this is not the first time he is being suspended.

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It has been years, he was moved to another school but they brought him back to this school.

“What is the district doing exactly and why is the principal quiet when he has a say on the matter,” Dlamini said, adding that they wanted him gone.

Former SGB Member, Mariah Mahlangu added, “He shouldn’t be teaching children. These kids are going to Grade 8, what will they know at high school if the teacher is never in class.

“There are a lot of issues at this school. We have opened cases with the police but nothing ever comes out of that.”