Education
With regard to the protest action by parents who disrupted learning at the Faku Primary School alleging corruption and the mismanagement of school funds by the principal:
- Whether these allegations have been bought to her attention; if so, (a) what are the relevant details, (b) when was she made aware of the allegations, (c) what measures have been taken to investigate the allegations, (d) what progress has been made with the investigations and (e) what remedial action has been taken and/or recommended;
- what is the (a) number and (b) details of all the cases of (i) corruption and fraud, (ii) sexual harassment and (iii) other serious transgressions that are currently under investigation in her Department and (b) what progress has been made with the investigations?
THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION
15. (1) (a) The protests started on 15 February 2021, with community and street committee members demanding to meet with the School Governing Body the next day. Reports were sent to the district office by the principal. Community members protested at the gate of the school in the morning of 17 February. Community members met with SGB on 17 and 20 February where they demanded the principal leave. The street committee and community members refused to accept the arguments of the SGB, SANCO and the ward Councillor present at the meeting on 20 February. On 26 February, community members, including a few parents protested outside the gates of the district. The issues raised were:
1. | Attitude of principal | They alleged in the grievance submitted on 26 February that the Principal was rude to parents and learners. |
2. | Theft | Community members indicated that four computers were stolen from the school by the principal and that food from kitchen had been taken home. |
3. | Finances | There were allegations that a R90 000 cheque was unaccounted for, a blank cheque written out and that there was no financial report to SGB. |
4 | SGB election | Allegations were made on the 15th April from community members, and not parents, that the SGB elections were not free and fair. |
(b) 13 April 2021
(c) An investigation was launched by the compliance team attached to Corporate Services on financial matters, the district electoral officer investigated the allegations of irregularities in the SGB election, and the circuit manager investigated claims regarding the attitude of the principal.
The fourth allegation of the irregularity of the SGB election was raised at the meeting of the 15th April with spokespersons of the street committee and community, Mr. Maliti, Mr. Muanda and Mr. Ngqakavu, and the district. The investigation was completed by the district on 22 April 2020.
The other two district investigations were completed by 12 April 2021.
(d) The outcomes are:
1. | Attitude of principal | In the investigation, the principal denied all the allegations. No parent has lodged a complaint with either the school or district. The protesters could not provide names of learners or parents despite being requested to do so.
Based on the findings, no evidence could be found of wrong- doing. |
Theft | Both the theft of the computers and food were reported to SAPS. (Case number: 263/01/2021 – Burglary; Case number: 325/02/2021 – theft of food)
Both cases are ongoing and we have not received an update from SAPS since then. The allegations of theft were reported to the Labour Relations Directorate of the WCED. | |
3. | Finances | The Metro South Education District Compliance Unit conducted an investigation into the allegations of the R90 000 that was unaccounted for, a blank cheque written out, and the financial report that was not presented to the SGB. The district checked the cash book and the bank statements of the school but could not find any shortfall as each month’s bank reconciliation balanced. . No evidence could be found of wrongdoing in terms of the first two accusations. The recommendations indicated that financial reports must be a standard item on the SGB agenda, and the financial position of the school discussed. |
4 | SGB election | The allegations raised in the meeting of the 15th with the community leaders that the SGB elections were not free and fair were investigated, and no evidence of irregularities was found. No appeals were lodged by the parents. No documentary evidence was presented to the district from the protesters. The SGB members are therefore duly elected as the election was procedurally fair.
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(e) After concluding the investigation, the CM set up a meeting for 13 April with representation from the SGB and community members at the school to present the report. A copy was handed to members present at the meeting. After ten minutes of feedback, the community members objected and interjected during the report back as they did not agree with the report. They then escorted the WCED officials out of the meeting, screaming and shouting as they did so.
The Circuit Manager set up a meeting with the leaders of the community group for 15 April at the district office. Mr. Maliti, Mr. Muanda and Mr. Ngqakavu from the community were present. Again, they raised issues related to the first report. This was again discussed. The meeting ended after two hours. They indicated that they did not accept the outcome of the report as it did not indicate that the principal must be removed. They left shouting and screaming.
On the 22 April, a parents’ meeting was called by the director to discuss the ongoing challenges with the community, as well as the status of the principal, who had been requested by the director to report to the district office from 14 April as her safety was at risk. She had lodged a case of intimidation with SAPS (Lower Crossroads station) against Mr. Maliti. Since then the principal has been on sick leave.
The Chief Director was part of the meeting on 22 April. When the WCED officials arrived at the school at 13h30, the gates had been padlocked by the community members. After getting the padlocks removed, the delegation met with community members. The officials tried to present the reports on all the investigations, including the SGB elections. After five minutes, the community members disrupted the meeting and stormed out. When the Chief Director tried to speak to the teachers, the meeting was disrupted by community members and they were once again escorted out of the meeting with the community screaming and shouting.
Since the start of the second term, despite the principal not being present, there have been two further protest actions at the school. The protests have affected teaching and learning, with learners being denied access to education by the community members.
The school cannot continue to be held hostage by community members – many of whom are not even parents at the school. We are therefore considering our options to prevent the harassment and intimidation of the staff, learners, and parents of the school.
(2) The WCED is currently investigating the following at the school:
| Details of case | Progress |
Corruption and fraud | Community members indicated that four computers were stolen from the school by the principal and that food from kitchen had been taken home. | The allegation of theft was reported by MSED to Labour Relations in Head Office. The investigation is pending.
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Sexual harassment | None |
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Other serious misconduct | None |
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