Fed up pupils take to the streets

PANDEMONIUM ruled at eMjabuliseni High School outside eSikhaleni on Tuesday when pupils took their concerns about absent teachers to the streets.

Angry pupils claimed teachers from the school in the uMkhobose area have not attended their classes since schools reopened last week.

They accused them of misconduct and said they ‘want them out’.

‘We just want education. We can’t come to school and just sit and do nothing. Life science, maths, accounting and isiZulu teachers haven’t been to class. We demand new teachers,’ said one furious pupil.

‘Teachers do whatever they want, they call us names and don’t do anything. We want the Department of Education (DoE) to replace them with teachers who will be able to do the work,’ said Grade 11 pupil Xolile Khumalo.

‘Last week one of the teachers slapped a pupil in front of everyone,’ said another pupil, Mlungisi Sibiya.

Police from Empangeni, Mtunzini and eSikhaleni were on standby as the teens chanted and picketed outside the school.

School Governing Body Chairperson Nkosinathi Ntuli said he was aware of the ‘missing teachers’, however the matter appeared to be ‘under control’.

Mtunzini DoE Circuit Manager Mthoko Mthembu was aware of the problem, but remained tight-lipped on the matter.

‘I’m not in the position to share anything, not before I report the matter to the district authorities and the MEC,’ he said.

The chaos at eMjabuliseni High School comes days after new school Principal, Msizeni Mkhwanazi, was buried.

His burnt body was found inside his car near KwaDlangezwa crossroads last week.