You send your child to school in hopes that they can better their education, but instead you are met with children fighting.
This is the reality of parents in Goodwood whose children attend JG Meiring High School.
According to parents, the constant fighting is getting out of hand.
“I fetch my kids and then there is a fight. The residents staying around there are also not happy about it.”
One parent said up to seven fights happened in one week. Three fights outside the school and four fights inside the school.
Circuit manager Wayne Hendricks confirmed the school had received a request to report on issues on fights at the school.
According to Millicent Merton, the provincial education department’s spokesperson, “the district office is aware of the matter. Safe Schools officials met with the principal and concerned community members. The circuit manager met with the principal and head of discipline regarding the matter. The principal contacted law enforcement and the police to assist with managing law and order after school hours.”
A concerned parent claimed that the principal is “so arrogant” in the way that she deals with the fights happening. The school had a meeting on Thursday 2 March and a lot of parents left during the meeting, stating “It’s the principal’s way or no way”.
This parent explained that they just want to make other parents aware of what is happening at the school especially because of so many teenagers battling with depression and suicide.
Teachers resigning
Another problem the parents are concerned about is the fact that teachers are resigning at a crucial time as matriculants prepare for tests.
“The principal does not have jurisdiction over incidents that occurred after school hours outside the school grounds,” Merton said.
Merton stated that the English teacher has been replaced.
”The WCED encourages parental involvement in assisting the school management team and governing body after school hours and when learners exit the school ground.”
A disciplinary hearing has been scheduled for the alleged perpetrator.
