The month-long school boycott continued in Khutsong township near Carletonville on Friday.
Some matric pupils, who had not been taught in the last five weeks, blamed the government for the lost study time.
”The person who decided to move us to the North West is to blame … the government is full of shit,” Mamsy Khumalo, a grade 12 pupil at Badirile High School, said.
Khumalo (16) and seven of her classmates had formed a study group in an attempt to catch up on their studies.
They meet during the week in littered classrooms and teach each other for a few hours.
The pupils do not know if they will be able to write this year’s final examination as the school boycott in the township continues.
Khumalo and the rest of her schoolmates chose to stay at home after attending school for sometime and not being taught.
”No one said we should stay at home. We kept on coming to school until we just gave up,” Khumalo’s classmate, Edward Gobile, said.
According to Gobile, teachers have never explained to them why they are not carrying out their duties.
”We can’t ask them why … We think it has something to do with their salaries.” he said.
The pupils said Khutsong children want to continue with their studies but fear intimidation from some people.
”People’s houses have been burnt down, some people are living in fear for their lives,” Khumalo said.
In another classroom, local student leaders briefed the media on their ”back to school” campaign.
The Representative Council of Learners (RCL) urged learners to go back to school on Monday.
An appeal was made to teachers to assist pupils with their problems and the parents were asked to support their children.
”Each one must teach one,” the leaders told pupils.
The national government was also asked to intervene by deploying people who would make sure schooling took place.
Some learners argued that it was useless for learners to return to school if teachers were not prepared to teach.
Daniel Motlhong, a pupil at the school, said it would not be easy for teachers to resume teaching.
”The government will first have to give them documents that state where they belonged [North West or Gauteng].”
Motlhong said the issue of suspended teachers might also prevent schooling from taking place.
”Teachers will say an injury to one is an injury to all.”
The North West education department has suspended four teachers accused of supporting the school boycott.
Khumalo, Gobile and their classmates hoped that the RCL’s plea will be heard and if not, they will continue to teach each other.
”Our future is in our hands,” Khumalo said.
There has been no schooling in Khutsong for the last five weeks.
Teachers ”downed chalks” in protest against Merafong municipality’s demarcation to the North West from Gauteng and some pupils boycotted school in support. — Sapa