Urgent probe into school ‘food ransom’ incident

An urgent investigation is underway into allegations that desperate and hungry deaf pupils held their teachers ransom in exchange for food. 

In one version the children locked staff in classrooms after pupils were not fed for days at St Thomas School for the Deaf outside Stutterheim.

Education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said: “The matter has been referred to our education social services chief directorate for immediate investigation and intervention.

“Children in special schools are the most vulnerable members of our society and require our constant attention and

nurturing.

“That is why the department always dedicates additional resources per child when it comes to special schools,” Pulumani said.

School governing body chairwoman Nomhle Nyanda said she was alerted by desperate pupils, who asked for her assistance via SMS on Monday, saying they had not eaten in days. Nyanda said pupils told her the school’s cooks had not shown up for duty.

They told her that they had approached the principal asking for food but all they were allegedly given was dry bread and empty promises.

A few days later, they allegedly resorted to locking their teachers in the classrooms. But Pulumani disputed this, saying pupils had merely shut the school gates.

He said problems started when three male hostel staff members, who normally assisted with the cooking and dishing up of food, did not show up for work on Monday.

“Big pots are used to prepare food and the male staff assist with the stirring and dishing up because the size of the pots required greater strength, which the male staff provide,” he said. “The learners were not served porridge. As a consequence, the learners resorted to closing the gate to vent their frustration.

“The teachers were not locked in the classrooms – it was the main gates that were locked.”

He added that although lunch had been prepared, again it could not be dished up as there was still no one to assist the cooks.

“As time went by with the male hostel staff absent, the school leadership and management requested a menu change. Porridge could still not be served on Tuesday, but other meals were provided,” Pulumani said.

Nyanda disputed this, saying the absence of the male staff was a regular occurrence.

“Most days they don’t even bother to show up but at times when they do report for duty, they are usually drunk.

“Most times they are fed samp and beans with gravy and no vegetables or meat. Many nights they go to bed on dry bread alone.”

Nyanda also complained about a lack of proper security at the school.

“The school is surrounded by bush, but there isn’t even a security guard at the gate, something we have been asking for,” she said.