Everson Luhanga
No teaching took place on Monday at at least 10 schools but as many as 25 schools in Braamfischerville, Soweto were affected by protesting parents.
When the Scrolla.Africa team arrived at Julius Sebolai Primary School, cars belonging to staff members were parked outside and teachers and children were milling about looking lost.
School governing bodies (SGBs) from different primary and secondary schools came together to protest about the schools’ service providers and to take full control of the finances and the procurement of Learning and Teaching Support Material (LSTM).
The protesting parents claimed that the current suppliers of the materials are too costly.
One of the organizers of the school shutdown, Modesta Ndlovu, vowed that they will keep the schools shut even if it meant for a week or a month.
“We want the provincial education department to come and hear our grievances. We have been trying to engage with them but they don’t take us seriously,” said Modesta.
“We will keep the school closed.”
She said the different SGBs and parents are unhappy about the service provider, who is supplying the schools with what she called the fake school and learning materials. Modesta claimed 25 schools were closed.
“The pencils don’t last. The rulers are soft and break easily. We don’t want this for our children. They deserve better,” she said.
She said among the services they receive is the provision of PPEs.
Parent Melvis Mshika said she has two children at Moses Kotane Primary School who couldn’t attend classes on Monday.
“As much as I support the protest, the schools should have been open,” she said.
Among the schools that were affected were Siyabonga high school, J.B. Marks Primary School, Moses Kotane, Julius Sebolai, and Nomzamo Madikizela Mandela Primary.
Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the Department is aware of the disruption of about 10 schooling by some SGBs.
“We condemn this behaviour by people who should have the interests of our learners at heart.
“Nothing justifies the disruption of schooling. More so during a time when every day counts as we have already lost a number of critical school days due to the (Covid-19) virus,” said Mabona.
“We call on SGBs, not only as stakeholders but also as parents to consider the impact of their actions on the learners and immediately cease these disruptions.”
