Police called as new teachers unwanted

MANZINI – Police were called to St Theresa’s Primary School when parents threatened to stop new teachers from setting foot at the school yesterday morning.

At least 16 teachers were fired from the school last week for allegedly absenting themselves to join a strike by the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), which had been declared illegal by the court.

The about 20 parents said they had heard that new teachers would be introduced at the school to fill the positions of the 16 who were fired.

By 7:45am, angry parents had already set camp at the school’s main gate.

Police were called and ordered parents to move from the entrance point.

Two hours later, the parents were still waiting for the arrival of the new teachers, but their wait was in vain.

Pupils who were last week told to return to school yesterday for the resumption of classes, were found playing within the school premises without supervision as there were no teachers.

Later the School Grantee, George Mdluli, issued pupils with letters inviting their parents to a meeting today. He then released them.

In interviews, parents　said new teachers would jeopardise the future of their children.

"It’s too late now for new teachers to start teaching all over again. In a few months’ time the Standard V pupils will be sitting for their examinations.

It is unheard of that in a school, all teachers are sacked," a parent said.

They said they were confident that today’s meeting would yield positive results.

  - Asibafuni vele labothishela labasha. If they are forced on us and our children we wont let our children go to school period, because it will be a useless thing to do. Uphelile umnyaka nyalo.
December 8, 2011, 8:00 am, A. Dlamini (acoco@ymail)

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