/ 7 May 2007

School boycott continues in Khutsong

Pupils in Khutsong township on Monday continued boycotting classes in protest against the Merafong municipality’s incorporation into the North West.

Anti-North West Forum member Paul Ncwane said there had been no schooling in the area for four weeks.

He said only teachers were present in all township schools.

Pupils do not want to write examination papers set by the North West department of education, Ncwane said.

He said the township was quiet on Monday and there were no planned meetings and demonstrations.

The North West provincial government condemned the ongoing disruptions of schooling in Khutsong.

”The provincial government acknowledges the right of a small section of the Khutsong community to hold a different view regarding the administrative integration of Merafong local municipality in the North West,” Premier Edna Molewa’s spokesperson, Cornelius Monama, said.

”However, the reality is that the area now falls under the North West provincial administration and therefore peace and stability must prevail.”

Last month, the provincial department of education suspended three teachers and a principal for supporting the class boycott.

Monama urged teachers to review their position and go back to school.

”We appeal to these teachers, whose own children attend in town where there are no disruptions, to reconsider their action.”

A principle of ”no work, no pay” would be applied to teachers who were not performing their duties.

The Merafong local council, which includes the Khutsong township, was incorporated into North West last year. Parts of the municipality previously fell under Gauteng.

The move evoked strong criticism and resulted in violent protests from Khutsong residents. — Sapa