By OBAKENG MAJE
25 March 2025- A frustrated teacher from Nqunde Secondary School in Dithakwaneng village, near Vryburg, alleged that the school principal ill-treats him. These allegations were made and recorded by the alleged affected teacher on a video that has since gone viral on various social media platforms.
In the video, the teacher alleged that the classroom that is allocated to him is not in good condition. The teacher alleged that even learners are afraid to go to that specific classroom.
“Look, there is no furniture and the classroom is damaged. Now, learners are afraid to come to this class because they have to carry some desks. That means every time my period will be disrupted because I have to wait close to 20 minutes before everyone settles down.
“So, that is the strategy that the principal of the school is using to frustrate me and make sure that my learners fail. She will then tell community members that I am not qualified, lacking classroom management and all these other things,” he said.
The teacher further alleged that he knows that the school principal has reserved the position he is currently occupying for one of the residents, who is still studying at Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley. The teacher added that, currently, he is only teaching in this shandy because the principal alleged that he is not qualified to teach in high school.
“This is actually a human rights violation because you will find that I’m in one class for six periods, where I’ll be teaching Natural Sciences, Creative Arts and Technology.
“So, this is the kind of frustration that I am subjected to. The high school that I’m appointed to teach does not have a building. You will find the principal always in the kitchen making sure that she monitors all those who are cooking,” he said.
The teacher also accused the principal of being a gossip monger and always surrounded herself with women from the township who do not have matric. He alleged that the staff room is in shambles and looks like a pigsty.
“She also tells the AA not to open the staff room before 8am. The principal and her crew will sometimes arrive at 8:30am. I have laid complaints to the North West Department of Education, however, no one is doing anything because I am seen as a trouble maker.
“Some teachers also take food from school,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi refuted these allegations. Motsumi said the allegations, which are irresponsible, were shared on social media and have since gone viral.
“They misrepresent the department’s efforts to improve school infrastructure. The department confirms that a request for additional funding to relocate unused mobile classrooms was submitted by the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District office in 2024, with Nqunde Secondary identified as a recipient.
“On 9 January 2025, additional funding was approved, and a site handover took place on 25 February 2025, with the SGB Chairperson signing the handover certificate,” she said.
Motsumi said by 13 March 2025, the project had been completed, with mobile classrooms assembled, renovated, and furnished. She said a completion certificate was signed by both the principal and the SGB Chairperson, confirming that the necessary infrastructure improvements had been made.
“We strongly caution against the irresponsible use of social media to spread misinformation and discredit the efforts of the department. It is deeply concerning that some educators, instead of focusing on their core duty of teaching and uplifting learners, are engaging in the deliberate spread of falsehoods.
“The department remains committed to transparency and service delivery, and we urge teachers to follow proper channels to address concerns rather than resorting to social media theatrics,” said Motsumi.
She said the department urges all educators to uphold their professional responsibilities and refrain from misleading the public by distorting facts.
The Guardian 