I am writing this letter out of the frustration and desperation that have come from my recent dealings with my son’s school, which have left me feeling inadequate, stupid, frustrated and powerless.
I am a single parent with a 13-year-old son in Grade 8 who attends high school in an upmarket area.
My main problem has been the issue of excessive homework, particularly from two of my son’s teachers. Firstly, the English teacher would give him so much homework that my son and I would be busy almost every night until 9pm completing it.
I discussed this politely with the teacher and she agreed that it seemed excessive. But later that day it was clear that my son was now going to be victimised by her, as she made it clear to the class that my son’s complaining mom was responsible for the homework being reduced.
I had a similar issue with the EMS teacher. Having raised my concerns with her, my son was then called a liar in front of his whole class — for no apparent reason. A few days later she again humiliated him, calling him ‘stupid” in front of the class.
But worse was to come. I was so angry at the way these things had spiralled out of control and that my son and I were being targeted that I decided to see the headmaster. His response was to claim that I was an over-protective mother and should learn to let go — and that if I did not like the way they ran the school, I should find another one. When I mentioned the fact that my son was called a liar in front of his whole class, his only response was that ‘maybe he is”.
I felt totally humiliated and bullied and completely helpless. I do not believe for one minute that anybody has the right to belittle another human being, especially an adult who is supposed to be setting an example to the children in their care.
I honestly believe that with the correct approach, all of this could have been settled in a manner that worked for the betterment of all.
Lynne McCallum
Johannesburg