Klapmuts No.2 Primary School in Klapmuts has been closed as a result of protest action and its teachers are being accommodated at another school, according to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
This after parents of learners attending school expressed their deep concern and frustration after discovering that a Grade 1 isiXhosa class had been left without a teacher since April. Despite their repeated attempts to engage the Department of Education, they have yet to receive a satisfactory response.
Consequently, the concerned parents took matters into their own hands, closing the school temporarily since the beginning of the week.
Bronagh Hammond, Director: Communication at the WCED, said the actions of the community have had a negative impact on the learners. “The learners are losing valuable teaching and learning time. There are 336 primary school learners and 416 high school learners are affected. The schools accommodate Grades R, 1, 2 and 3 and then Grade 8 and 9.”
The parents assembled at the school premises on Thursday morning, 3 August, to voice their concerns publicly.
“We have been waiting for answers since Monday, and are not here to demolish the school,” Phelokazi Nogwaza, one of concerned parents, pointed out. “The department is not responding to us and we do not know what to do, so we will wait until we get answers. We are pleading.
“We don’t want anything but a isiXhosa teacher so our children can go back to school and get the education they deserve. It’s not right for our children just to come to school and play. If we want them to play we can keep them at home.”
According to Nogwaza the learners also did not receive reports for the second term, which is big concern.
The parents are demanding that the school employ an additional isiXhosa teacher. The district requested an additional post and a contract post has been approved by Head Office on Friday 4 August.
“This is being communicated to the school via the district,” Hammond added. “We appeal for stability so teaching and learning can continue. The WCED has not received any reports of report cards not being issued.”
