Protest over new school rule

PUPILS disrupted teaching and learning at a Durban school allegedly over unhappiness at a new school ruling.

According to parents, management at New West Secondary School had changed a practice this week where pupils would remain in class during lessons instead of going to a specific teacher’s classroom for the lesson.

On Friday, some pupils prevented other children from entering certain blocks. In videos circulating on social media, children are seen causing disruption on the school premises.

“To curb the disruptions between classes, the school decided to change the process of children moving during lessons to their teachers’ class. As of this week the teachers were supposed to go to the classes.

“But some children were unhappy with this decision and caused chaos by protesting in the morning. I understand why this decision was taken by the school as it prevents children taking long to get to classes, loitering and skipping classes,” said a parent, who did not want to be named.

He said some children were seen throwing desks and breaking windows.

“We have already lost a lot of teaching time because of Covid, the riots and floods. It is now time to catch up. I hope everything returns to normal on Monday. Many parents fetched their children early on Friday morning when we found out about the protest.”

Another parent said she feared for her child’s safety.

“It was a day wasted. I cannot understand why children would be unhappy about remaining in their form class,” she said.

The school will hold an emergency meeting with parents today.

In a letter to parents, the school said: “At 7.30am, entrances to the blocks were padlocked and learners and educators were prevented from entering the blocks. Learners began chanting and toyi-toying.

“Most learners did not know what the problems were. However, some learners indicated that they were not happy with learner-based classroom teaching. This change was necessary as learners were losing 10 to 15 minutes of academic contact time per change of periods when they moved from class to class.”

It went on to say that a few windows were broken and learners were uncontrollable.

Kwazi Mthethwa, spokesperson for the provincial department of education, said no one had the right to disrupt teaching and learning.

“We condemn whoever is doing that,” said Mthethwa.

Vee Gani, the chairperson of the KZN Parents’ Association, said by children remaining in their class it avoids movement, prevents children from bunking classes and avoids conflict or confrontation with other children.

“It’s minimal disruption. It makes sense for the teacher to go to the classroom rather than 45 children from one class moving around. The principal with his management can make decisions to effect smoother control in the school.”