A cop tries to reason with protesting parents outside Settlers’ Primary School in Walmer yesterday. Photo by Chris Qwazi ~
A GROUP of parents gathered at Settlers’ Primary School in Walmer, Port Elizabeth, yesterday morning.
They accused the school of treating white and black kids differently.
They sang freedom songs and waved placards written: “We say no to racism. The principal Schlemmer must fall. Stop abusing our children.”
Parents’ spokesman Luvuyo Popo of Walmer kasi told Daily Sun: “We have been opposing racism at this school for a long time. We’ve had numerous meetings with the teaching staff trying to resolve them. We have also written several letters to the Department of Education, but nothing has happened. Our children are traumatised by racial discrimination happening here.” White kids would take stationery from our kids and the principal Andrew Schlemmer never disciplined them.
“However, when it is black kids taking stationary from white kids. He always acts quickly and suspend our children without a hearing and fine us R500,” he said.
Parents also accused teachers of racism.
“There are two white teachers here who would beat our children and call them baboons. We complained about them but the principal has done nothing to discipline these two teachers.
“That is why we demand him must to step down because he is unfit to lead our kids. My son is badly affected and I am taking him to a psychologists regularly.”
A parent, Nomfusi Sizani (43) of Gqeberha kasi, said: “My son was expelled in 2013 without a hearing. I had to go to the department, and when he returned he was dumped into a classroom of slow learners.”
Nomfusi was supported by Nolitha Veto (50) saying: “They have classes for white kids only and black classes.
“A white boy took my son’s stationery and I lodged a complaint. No action was taken. When my son took a white boy’s stationery he was suspended and fined.”
SGB chairwoman Cindy MacPherson said: “These parents are wrong. The problem here is their kids, who do not do their school work and then blame the teachers.”
Principal Andrew Schlemmer was not present and his deputy, Jerry van Huysstion, refuted the parents. He said: “There is no racism here. The problem is parents who do not follow school governing rules and blame racism. They also influence their kids.
“We have called the department and we will have a meeting with them very soon.”
“We have 90% black school kids and they prefer to use English, while white kids prefer Afrikaans.”
Provincial education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said: “A case of this nature was reported and we are investigating. We have requested a report from the principal in response to these allegations.
“Secondly, a meeting is planned for Wednesday. If anyone is found guilty we are going to take corrective measures to ensure these elements are uprooted,” said Mtima.
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