14 Jan 2016

Teachers at Mmathethe Primary School have rebutted allegations that pupils fail standard seven examinations because teachers have overstayed in the school.

Residents raised their concern during a kgotla meeting addressed by the area MP, Dr Alfred Madigele.

They, therefore, expressed their wish that teachers should be transferred within a reasonable time.

Some said there were teachers who stayed in one place for a long time making them doubtful that they were serious with pupils.

One resident, Ms Gabanthate Kemoabe noted that the poor results in primary schools were irritating because most pupilswere  admitted at junior secondary schools though they had failed.

She alleged that most teachers were after hiked salaries or too much payment as compared to the passion of producing desirable results.

Teachers said the poor results in primary schools resulted from lack of cooperation between teachers and parents. They said they never attended PTA meetings.

They further mentioned that parents left everything to teachers and never consulted  with them about pupils’ performance while some left their children to starve with torn and untidy uniforms.

Teachers therefore urged parents to work harmoniously with them in order to improve results. 

They also decried shortage of classrooms and staff accommodation noting  that it was a shortfall that needed to be dealt with. Ends