The tussle over a problem school has turned ugly, as education activists and the principal engage in a war of words following its recent matric results.
The tussle over a problem school has turned ugly, as education activists and the principal engage in a war of words following its recent matric results.
Furious at comments by Benjamin Mahlasela High School principal Sandile Dude after his school's disappointing 28.6% pass rate in the latest matric results, education activists have described the school as an embarrassment for black people, and have vowed to redouble their efforts to have it closed down.
In an interview with Grocott's Mail, Benjamin Mahlasela High School principal Sandile Dude recently attributed his latest matric pass rate, a disappointing 28.6% to a campaign to have his school closed and converted to a special school of academic excellence and Further Education and Training.
He said the pressure from members of the Save Our Schools and Community (Sosac) campaign was “discouraging the staff and brought panic to the learners”.
Education activist Nomalanga Mkhize, however, said the organisation was disappointed at the principal's comments, labelling them "unprofessional". “We feel that the principal is being irresponsible and unfair to the community, who are trying to help the school become better and more helpful to the young people of Grahamstown,"Mkhize said.
“We met the principal on 7 November and he seemed very comfortable with the proposals, so we are surprised.” “The matric results show clearly that the school is not functioning properly. How can 13 teachers fail to help seven students pass their matric?” asked Mkhize.
“We are going to petition the MEC to close that school, because it is an embarrassment for black people who have a great educational history. It is a disgrace to the name of a monumental figure like Benjamin Mahlasela,” she said.
Mkhize said pupils themselves at the school were unhappy with the state of their school, and blamed the community for allowing it to deteriorate. She said the principal had agreed to discuss the campaign's proposals with his staff.
Dude, however, denied this and said the organisation didn't consult properly. “After they (Sosac) had a meeting with me and the School Governing Body (SGB), they approached Sadtu and were told to first talk to the staff members. They didn't do that,” he said. “I know nothing about unhappy students and I believe this is their (Sosac's) opinion," he explained. "I wish they can prove all these things to us.”
