A crippling protest at the troubled East London education district offices has forced parents to takeover the responsibilities of caring for more than 130 children with disabilities at Vukuhambe Special School in Mdantsane.
Workers affiliated to the National Education, Health and Allied Worker’s Union have downed tools and shut government offices since May 21.
The stand-off has led to schools under the jurisdiction of the district offices unable to get assistance from designated officials.
Non-teaching staff joined workers at the East London district education office on May 21 in a protest over several issues related to employees’ conditions of service.
The staff included, among others, security guards, cleaners, drivers, care givers, laundry workers and teacher helpers.
Parent Funeka Matshaya, who has been living in a hostel with pupils at Vukuhambe for almost two weeks, said it had been an emotionally draining period.
Matshaya has a child at the facility and has been there since the protest began.
“We cannot rest because sometimes at night these children need medical assistance,” Matshaya said.
She left her other child and husband in Duncan Village to be with her son and care for the other children as well.
When she arrived at Vukuhambe, she had to call on a cousin living in nearby Mdantsane, to assist her.
Her cousin, who asked not to be named for fear of being victimised, said when she arrived at the facility about two weeks ago she knew that she would not be going home any time soon.
The two women begin their day by waking up and bathing pupils.
They then dress and prepare them for breakfast.
During the day, they change nappies, bathe and clothe children again, clean their rooms and wash their clothes and bedding.
Last week they were joined by child care workers sent by the department of social development.
Some of the child care workers are from the non-governmental organisations Isibindi and Kukhulu Projects.
Both women said they hoped that government would resolve the impasse so that they could go back to their families.
However, by yesterday no resolution had been reached and the protest continues.
Vukuhambe school governing body chairwoman Nonceba Tywala said the department had failed the school.
The Eastern Cape education department had not responded to questions at the time of going to print. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
Parents take over duties at Vukuhambe
Workers affiliated to the National Education, Health and Allied Worker’s Union have downed tools and shut government offices since May 21.
The stand-off has led to schools under the jurisdiction of the district offices unable to get assistance from designated officials.
Non-teaching staff joined workers at the East London district education office on May 21 in a protest over several issues related to employees’ conditions of service.
The staff included, among others, security guards, cleaners, drivers, care givers, laundry workers and teacher helpers.
Parent Funeka Matshaya, who has been living in a hostel with pupils at Vukuhambe for almost two weeks, said it had been an emotionally draining period.
Matshaya has a child at the facility and has been there since the protest began.
“We cannot rest because sometimes at night these children need medical assistance,” Matshaya said.
She left her other child and husband in Duncan Village to be with her son and care for the other children as well.
When she arrived at Vukuhambe, she had to call on a cousin living in nearby Mdantsane, to assist her.
Her cousin, who asked not to be named for fear of being victimised, said when she arrived at the facility about two weeks ago she knew that she would not be going home any time soon.
The two women begin their day by waking up and bathing pupils.
They then dress and prepare them for breakfast.
During the day, they change nappies, bathe and clothe children again, clean their rooms and wash their clothes and bedding.
Last week they were joined by child care workers sent by the department of social development.
Some of the child care workers are from the non-governmental organisations Isibindi and Kukhulu Projects.
Both women said they hoped that government would resolve the impasse so that they could go back to their families.
However, by yesterday no resolution had been reached and the protest continues.
Vukuhambe school governing body chairwoman Nonceba Tywala said the department had failed the school.
The Eastern Cape education department had not responded to questions at the time of going to print. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
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