By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za

This week, angry community members, led by parents in Alexandra, blocked the gates and prevented learners, including teachers, from entering the Minerva Secondary school premises.

The parents were complaining about a teacher who allegedly refused to teach math to grade 10 C learners.

The teacher was accused of not teaching the children due to crowding. It is said that the class consists of nearly 54 learners.

The teacher has allegedly not taught the learners since February this year. The principal is said to have reported the matter to the Department of education but no step was taken.

“We shut down the school because they were not interested in hearing or engaging us.

“The teacher knew that the kids were overcrowded when he applied for that job. Let him go to a private school and teach there, ” Pumza Sitenge, chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB) told Alex Reporter.

However, on condition of anonymity, our highly reliable source alleged that overcrowding was not an issue, labeling it a scapegoat.

The deep throat alleged that the school principal forced the grade 10 C learners to do math whereas they were looking for math literature.

“When the kids refused to do mathematics, the headmaster told them to look for another school.
Due to their fear of being expelled, the kids agreed to do math.

” During the math lessons, the teacher realised that the learners were not interested. When he gave them tests, some never wrote because they only understood math literature than mathematics.

“The teacher went back to the principal and reported the matter.”

According to the source, the teacher was not comfortable teaching math lessons to learners who were not interested in them.

“He asked the principal to substitute him with a teacher who teaches math literature.
But the principal refused to consider the request. She was against the request because the two have their personal issues.”

The principal allegedly failed to take any steps until last week. She also allegedly sided with the parents and influenced them to be against the teacher.

“The issue is that there are Head Of Department (HOD) posts advertised within the school and the educator has applied. He qualifies for the position and is shortlisted.

“The principal doesn’t want him. In my opinion, she is attempting to tarnish his name to prevent him from being appointed HOD. She was quite all along since term one…why does she make noise now?”

Gauteng Basic Education spokesperson, Steve Mabona hasn’t responded to our questions sent via WhatsApp. His phone rang unanswered and he never responded.