A protest by the teachers, parents and broader community of Olifantshoek took place at the Northern Cape Primary School in Olifantshoek on Thursday 14 June 2018 to highlight discontent about certain issues at the school.

A memorandum of demands was presented to Mr Masigela, a representative from the Northern Cape Department of Education. It was read out loud by Mr Phetoe.

According to a spokesperson, parents are concerned about the recurrent absence of a certain teacher who has had only minimal attendance during a period of apparently two years. Apparently, the teacher gets herself booked off medically. As soon as the medical leave expires, she is booked off medically again.

It is alleged that this particular teacher was present at the school for only ten days during the first two terms of this school year. Apparently, the learners’ books are empty. They are not receiving any tutoring and parents fear that the learners are going to suffer academically.

A request has been made to the Northern Cape Department of Education to replace this teacher and school governing body has even had a meeting with Mr Theys from the department in February this year regarding the problem. Mr Theys’ response was that her ongoing absence would have an effect on her pension, but because she does not get booked off for a period extending 6 weeks at a time, they cannot dismiss her and they cannot appoint another teacher in her place.

The parents and concerned parties are fed up and fear the worst as they do not want a repeat of what happened in 2012 when the schools were closed down due to riots for an extended time period.

Another grievance is that the secretarial cum administrative post has not been filled since it has been advertised in 2016. There is a shortage of cleaners and the vacancy left by cleaner who has passed away, has not been filled yet. This has been brought to the attention of the Department of Education, but the department said that there are no funds available. Presently there are only two permanent cleaners who have to clean up for 1500 learners.

The teachers, parents and community members intend calling on the Human Rights Commission and the Section 22 organisation to intervene, depending on the response received from the Department of Education.