Parents and SGB prevent pupils from attending school following an alleged irregular appointment

TEACHING at Prieska Primary was disrupted on Friday morning after parents and the School Governing Body (SGB) locked pupils out of school premises and stopped them from attending school following allegations of an irregular appointment in a departmental head post at the school.

The parents and SGB accused the provincial Department of Education of forcing the appointment of a candidate who did not meet the requirements.

According to members of the SGB and parents, the department overstepped the decision of the SGB and appointed a candidate who did not qualify.

“There were two candidates who went through the interview process after the post was advertised. Both candidates however did meet the criteria and were unsuccessful in getting appointed. However, the department later overstepped the decision and pushed for one of the unsuccessful candidates to be appointed. The department did not regard the decision of the SGB and are now pushing their own agenda in this matter. We do not understand why the department wants the SGB to just rollover and accept their unlawful behaviour. This post needs to be readvertised and someone who is qualified must be appointed. We cannot sit back and let unlawfulness and corrupt actions occur right before our eyes. The department must appoint people with integrity and stop toying with the future of our children,” they said.

Department spokesperson, Geoffrey van der Merwe said the disruption was unprecedented.

“The disruption at Pieska Primary School is unprecedented and uncalled for. The action taken by the SGB is not in the best interest of the learners. This whilst they have refused to meet with the officials from the District office on Thursday. This protest action is as a result of the appointment of a departmental head post at the school. Before any appointment is made at a school by the department, the recruitment process starts at the school, followed by interviews conducted by the SGB and the recommendation submitted to the Head of Department (HOD),” said van der Merwe.

He said there were no irregularities with regards to the appointment.

“On this matter the department followed all due processes in line with the recruitment process and agreed with the recommendation of the SGB for the appointment of the departmental head. The recommendation of the SGB was not overturned by the department and the outcome was communicated to the school through an appointment letter. If the situation and the disruption of schooling prevails, the department will not hesitate to institute action against the SGB in line with legislative processes. We expect SGBs to always act in the best interest of learning and teaching as well as act in the best interest of learning and teaching, as well as the advancement of quality public education,” said van der Merwe.