PARENTS SHOULD SEND CHILDREN TO TROUBLED SOWETO SCHOOL

This morning I visited Meadowlands Secondary School in Soweto with my colleague Khume Ramulifho MPL.

There has been little teaching at this school since classes were disrupted last week Friday. There were only 196 pupils out of about 1200 at the school today.

Parents we spoke outside the school said that their children had been told to stay away.

We spoke to the acting principal Mr George Muleleke who said that teachers were all present and willing to teach.

The problem appears to be with a group of parents who support suspended principal Mr Moss Senye, who is facing charges of alleged assault of a pupil. Parents and children should not be intimidated as there is adequate police protection.

The Democratic Alliance appeals to all parents to send their children to the school on Monday. Normal schooling must resume as preliminary examinations start on Wednesday next week.

This school achieved only a 57% pass rate last year, and needs to improve dramatically. The Gauteng Education Department has not handled this well and needs to ensure that there is always uninterrupted teaching at this school.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, September 2 2011

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