Mathumbu Senior Secondary school in Willowvale has a new principal – but still lacks teachers.The Eastern Cape education department last week appointed a principal, but English, life orientation and history teachers for grades 10 to 12 are still not available.
The new principal will assist with mathematics classes.
The Saturday Dispatch recently reported how pupils at the school went on a violent rampage as they demanded more teachers. During the unrest, the school’s only block was damaged as pupils threw stones at teachers and school governing body members.
The school’s SGB chairman Mainreef Dyalvan said pupils were starting to leave the school.
“They are asking for transfers to go to other schools and we can’t stop them from doing that because they see that there’s no future here at Mathumbu. The department only tells us that they will have to put out a bulletin for more teachers. When will that happen?”
Education spokesman Mali Mtima said a principal had been employed for the school. “There are teachers who went at the school and we can’t employ people in their position without investigating their whereabouts. We are in the process though of employing two teachers.”
Mathumbu is situated about 30km outside Willowvale towards Kob Inn. It caters for 15 villages and 20 primary schools.
Local chief Nosintu Manxiwa said the school’s grade 12 pupils were writing exams next month.
“These pupils will fail come the end of the year. We also have a similar situation at Qwaninga Junior secondary where there are five teachers for 10 classes.”
In last year’s matric exams Mathumbu managed a 12% pass rate. Its 2014 results are still outstanding, pending the finalisation of an investigation into alleged cheating.
The 2013 results raised eyebrows after the school recorded an impressive 97.1% pass rate, a significant increase from the preceding three years where it achieved a 50% pass rate.
Mathumbu teacher woes
The Eastern Cape education department last week appointed a principal, but English, life orientation and history teachers for grades 10 to 12 are still not available.
The new principal will assist with mathematics classes.
The Saturday Dispatch recently reported how pupils at the school went on a violent rampage as they demanded more teachers. During the unrest, the school’s only block was damaged as pupils threw stones at teachers and school governing body members.
The school’s SGB chairman Mainreef Dyalvan said pupils were starting to leave the school.
“They are asking for transfers to go to other schools and we can’t stop them from doing that because they see that there’s no future here at Mathumbu. The department only tells us that they will have to put out a bulletin for more teachers. When will that happen?”
Education spokesman Mali Mtima said a principal had been employed for the school. “There are teachers who went at the school and we can’t employ people in their position without investigating their whereabouts. We are in the process though of employing two teachers.”
Mathumbu is situated about 30km outside Willowvale towards Kob Inn. It caters for 15 villages and 20 primary schools.
Local chief Nosintu Manxiwa said the school’s grade 12 pupils were writing exams next month.
“These pupils will fail come the end of the year. We also have a similar situation at Qwaninga Junior secondary where there are five teachers for 10 classes.”
In last year’s matric exams Mathumbu managed a 12% pass rate. Its 2014 results are still outstanding, pending the finalisation of an investigation into alleged cheating.
The 2013 results raised eyebrows after the school recorded an impressive 97.1% pass rate, a significant increase from the preceding three years where it achieved a 50% pass rate.
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