FOLLOWING a series of break-ins, a Limpopo school had cameras installed.
The cameras were there to protect school property worth R20 000 in each classroom. But that has led to 23 teachers downing tools and refusing to teach under the constant watch of the camera.
The 23 SA Democratic Teachers Union members downed tools in July at Ntji-Mothapo Primary School in Ga-Mothapo outside Polokwane, which has 34 teachers.
Only 11 teachers from the Professional Educators Union are working.
SGB chairwoman Selinah Mmatle said unsuccessful meetings were held between district and circuit officials.
“We then had a meeting with parents. We got parents who volunteered to teach.”
Parents who are unemployed teachers are teaching kids with the help of nine teachers. SGB member Sekepe Malejane said only some of the parents is qualified.
“They started teaching grade R on 22 August. The 23 teachers are denying our kids the right to education and are being paid for doing nothing.”
Selinah said they have since had another meeting where parents decided to have those teachers chased away. “We refused. Who is going to teach our kids?”
The parents and the SGB want the teachers to be replaced. Education spokesman Naledzani Rasila said: “If they are not teaching, it is unlawful. Our district office is speaking to relevant stakeholders to resolve the issues,” he said.
Sadtu secretary Matome Raphasha said teachers were removed by people calling themselves parents. “The principal put up those cameras without talking to anyone. For the teachers to return, a policy must be developed to manage the cameras and we need a guarantee of security,” he said.
