/ 23 May 2007

Still no teaching in Khutsong

There was still no schooling in Khutsong on Wednesday although teachers had agreed on Sunday that teaching would resume in the township, the Khutsong Learners’ Forum (RCL) said.

”Grade 12 learners went to school as they usually do but teaching did not take place,” said RCL president Sibusiso Kula, adding that teachers had also arrived at schools.

Kula said teachers had been attending schools this week but did not do any teaching.

”We are meeting as grade 11 and 12 pupils on Friday afternoon to try and discuss a way forward. We can’t go on like this; teaching should resume.”

Kula said another meeting was scheduled with the demarcation forum to ”get them to help us with our ‘back to school’ campaign”.

”We need help from every one; from our parents, teachers and the demarcation forum.

”We cannot wait for the courts to decide whether we go to the North West or Gauteng before we can return to school,” he said.

On Sunday, Congress of South African Trade Unions president Willie Madisha visited the violence-torn Khutsong in a bid to get education in the township back on its feet.

”Teachers have agreed they are going back to classes, education will happen,” he said on Sunday following a meeting with teachers and parents.

Madisha was in another meeting with teachers on Wednesday afternoon.

Khutsong falls under the Merafong municipality, which was moved from Gauteng to the North West under the consolidation of cross-border municipalities.

This evoked strong criticism and resulted in violent protests from Khutsong residents.

Schooling has been disrupted for more than a month. — Sapa