EL teacher defends Grade R qualifications

A TEACHER from East London Secondary School said claims that she and another Grade R teacher at the school were unqualified were false.

The allegations were made during a protest at the school on Monday when angry parents attempted to prevent the return of school principal Ben Chetty.

Chetty was placed on precautionary suspension in June last year, after being charged for misusing school funds.

He was later exonerated at a disciplinary hearing and was suppose to return to work on Monday.

But a group of parents locked the gates early on Monday morning and refused entry to both staff and pupils.

During the protest, parents also said they wanted the immediate removal of all unqualified Grade R teachers.

But one of the two Grade R teachers at the school, Sarika Pursopham, said there was no truth to the allegations.

“The statement

that we

are

not qualified is completely false.

“We are qualified. Those statements might affect our jobs,” Pursopham said yesterday.

“There was one Grade R assistant who didn’t have matric but she is no longer at the school.

“I personally have an early childhood development certificate and I am studying towards a national professional diploma in education through the University of North West.

“I’m worried that parents will read these reports and think that we don’t know what we’re doing here and not trust us with said.

Other issues raised during the protest include putting an end to the promotion of Indian teachers above black ones; the need to renovate the school toilets; and the feeding of children as part of the school nutrition programme.

The school governing body (SGB) deputy chairman, Leon Skeepers, said the protest action was based on personal vendettas.

Skeepers said the school was previously disadvantaged and resources were often an issue, something

their

children,”

Pursopham the protesting aware of.

“Where did they thumb-suck all of this from,” Skeepers said. “And the fact that they still say that Chetty has misused funds shows this is personal because the department has cleared him of all charges.”

SGB chairwoman Anusha Padayachee said calm had been restored to the school.

Chetty, however, had not to the school.

Acting school principal Rampiari Phekum refused to comment. —

parents

were

well

yet

returned