Pupils in Limpopo on rampage

Pupils on rampage 

04 March 2008
Alex Matlala

SCHOOL DISORDER: Angry pupils at Kabelo High School at Ga-Ramethlwana village outside Polokwane in Limpopo are insisting on te return of maths and science teachers who were transferred from the school. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANA

Windows smashed, staff assaulted in protest against 'teacher truancy'

Angry pupils at Kabelo High School at Ga-Rametlwana near Polokwane ran amok yesterday, smashing school windows and assaulting teachers.

They assaulted and chased teachers out of classrooms in protest against the transfer of maths and science teachers in January.

Police were called to the school to quell the volatile situation, but their presence did not seem to deter the angry pupils.

Senior Superintendent Mohale Ramatseba said some teachers were assaulted but did not suffer any serious injuries. He said investigations were continuing.

The situation was later brought to normality by the pupils' parents, who offered to negotiate with the school management on their behalf while they went back to classes.

The pupils are protesting against what they call "teacher truancy" through their failure to teach.

They also protested against the transfer of two maths and science teachers.

The pupils told Sowetan yesterday that the two teachers also taught English and life orientation, and that since they left in January no teaching of these subjects had taken place.

"We are behind with our school syllabus. We came to school to learn and not to sit in the classrooms without being taught.

"How can you study when no lessons take place.

"We want our teachers back or we will resort to mass destruction of school property," said pupil representative Eliot Chokoe.

Chokoe said the protest would continue until the end of the week if their two teachers were not brought back.

School principal PJ Motsepe and members of the school governing body (SGB) were still locked in a meeting when Sowetan visited the school.

Ndo Manga, spokesman for the education department in Limpopo, was unavailable for comment.

The protest comes three weeks after pupils at Nthube High School forced the authorities to promote them in spite of their dismal performances.

A week earlier, pupils at Sewela Batho High dismissed their principal and a teacher after they accused the two officials of meting out corporal punishment.

 

Sowetan - http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=719148

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