By Lungani Zungu
The principal of eNtokozweni Special School in Sweetwaters, Pietermaritzburg, who has been accused of going “rogue”, was barred from entering the school and nearly assaulted on Thursday.
A handful of parents and teachers protested outside the school gates, chanting slogans and hoisting placards against the principal.
Teaching and learning were suspended and the pupils, who are living with what the Department of Education terms “intellectual disabilities”, were left unattended.
Teachers and parents are accusing the principal of corruption and of using school funds for her own benefit.
“We have tried to have a meeting with the Department of Education, but still, the matter was not resolved,” said Thabile Mkhonza, a parent.
“The principal is corrupt and our children, who are living with disabilities, are not being catered for. The principal is using school funds to enrich herself and not the children,” Mkhonza alleged.
According to the Department of Education, the school has 159 pupils.
“As we speak now, our children don’t even have toilet paper in school,” said Mkhonza.
“The principal has absolutely failed, and that is why we want her gone. We will continue to protest until she is gone.”
Mkhonza refuted claims that the people protesting had assaulted the principal.
“She ran for her life. But we could have done something that we would regret later,” said Mkhonza.
Scrolla.Africa reached out to teachers who were part of the protest, but all refused to comment on the matter. The principal who was the subject of the protest could not be reached for comment.
Muzi Mahlambi, the spokesperson for the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal, said the department has sent circuit officials to investigate and end the impasse at eNtokozweni.
“The aim now is to have the school back to functionality while we are attending to the issues that are being raised,” he said.
Mahlambi said the department would take action once it had concluded its investigation.
Pictured above: Parents and teachers holding placards outside eNtokozweni Special School during their protest against the principal on Thursday morning
Image source: Supplied
