Parents Say ‘Bring Back Maka or No School!

For two days parents of an Eastern Cape school have brought learning and teaching to a standstill demanding that the suspension against the principal be reversed.

The parents of John Noah High School in Komani started on Monday (23/03), singing in the school premises demanding that their principal Sandile Maka be brought back to school after he was suspended on Friday.

The parents told the department that they are not interested in the departments explanation all they want is the principal back.

On Tuesday morning, parents woke up early and prevented students from entering the premises singing outside the school gate.

A group of parents said the department must bring back Maka.

“If he stole money, it is our money.nwhy are you bothered? We don’t mind because that is our money” chantted the parents.

Department officials arrived and tried to mitigate the situation, however, the parents did not allow them into the school premises.

After numerous attempts, the police were called to calm the situation down.

However, parents stood their ground demanding that their principal be brought back to school.

One of the parents, Nkululeko Mazwayi said the principal was suspended based on hearsay.

“We asked them how they could suspend the principal without following proper procedures. They did not call the school governing body and as parents we are saying the school must be closed,” he said.

Mazwayi asked why was Make not taken to another place or the department when he is suspended like other people.

Another residents Solomzi Ntabeni said the department must be given space to investigate the matter.

“Why are parents protesting, parents must not be misled and told about the procedure, what is this procedure. All the procedures were followed and parents must allow the employer to do its job,” he said.

Some SGB members addressing the parents said they were not told about the suspension and no proper procedure was followed in Maka’s suspension.

“The parents want answers and we don’t know why they suspended the principal,” he said.

When contacted for comment, SGB members declined to comment.

The department told students to come to school on Wednesday as it will have a meeting with the SGB.

Department of Education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said there is a normal process that is followed.

“After allegations of mismanagement of funds we have suspended the principal and if the allegations are found to be true he will be taken to deciplinary processes,” he said.

Mtima said another principal which has been suspended in Komani is a principal of Van College Primary School where students used the field to relieve themselves.

“Also there are allegation of mismanagement of funds against him. If the investigation finds that there is a prema facie evidence against them proper processes will be followed,” he said.