Hanover Park parents protest against principal at Parkfields Primary School

Fed-up Hanover Park residents staged a picket outside Parkfields Primary School on Wednesday, February 11, calling for the acting principal to step down with immediate effect.

Armed with placards, angry parents vowed to continue protesting against the acting principal until the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) intervenes. They also accused the department of failing to take their concerns seriously.

The demonstrators, many of whom have children at the school, accused the acting principal of being disrespectful, ruling with an iron fist, and intimidating both pupils and staff. They alleged that pupils and teachers have been subjected to bullying by the principal.

Parents expressed that they feel their concerns have not been taken seriously and that repeated complaints to the WCED have yielded little action. They insisted they would maintain pressure on education authorities until their grievances are addressed and a resolution is found.

However, the WCED said the principal has acted responsibly in addressing irregularities identified within the school.

Parent Sharon Jeneke said they had had enough of the acting principal.

“She is the boss. In the last three years she has been here, we were 1 200 learners, and now we are down to 709. Our children are roaming the streets. They are being put off the school. Teachers are being bullied, children are being bullied, but things are brushed under the mat,” she said.

She claimed that Parkfields is the only school in the province where assistant teachers are allegedly working illegally.

“Teachers are scared of her. They are victimised. They talk to us. They are blackmailed. She is rude. Teachers are leaving because they can’t cope anymore. She once told parents that they are as uneducated as their children,” said Ms Jeneke.

She added that while teachers are committed to providing a quality education, the acting principal allegedly turns away children who arrive late without considering the reasons.

“This is a red zone. The area is often caught in gang crossfire. You cannot turn children away. What if they get shot on the way? She knows the situation around here, but she does not care about our children,” she said.

Another parent, Darawiesa Sauls, said they had tried to engage with her, but she refused to meet them.

“All we want is to save our school from her. Nothing is going right here. Our children have no sports like netball, soccer, and other activities. She is not interested in those things, yet we pay money for them,” she said.

Athlone News tried to contact the principal but was told by the WCED that she is not allowed to speak to the media.

Responding to the accusations, the WCED stated that it has been working closely with the school’s leadership and the school governing body (SGB) over an extended period. It said the majority of SGB members have actively participated in governance training and continue to cooperate constructively with the department to ensure stability and effective management at the school.

“The acting principal has the support of both the SGB and the broader school community," the department said, adding that it included the practice of privately appointed classroom assistants working on school premises without formal contracts.

"This matter was handled transparently and in accordance with legal requirements applicable to staff on WCED premises. The WCED supports this,” the department said.

It added that while SGB members are entitled to differing views, it is regrettable that one SGB member has chosen to publicise her personal dissatisfaction through disruptive actions and public allegations that are not supported by evidence.

The department stated that complaints previously raised by the member were referred to the relevant WCED structures for investigation. “These investigations did not substantiate the allegations made,” it said.

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