While teaching and learning has returned to normal at Heathfield High School, after the expulsion of their principal, a letter of demand has reportedly been handed to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
Former principal Wesley Neuman was found guilty of acting in a manner that was inconsistent with his duties and obligations as a principal and manager in the education system.
He faced six charges, including that of insubordination and misconduct for allegedly going against the department’s decision to have children back at school at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
In a statement to learners on Tuesday 31 May, deputy chair of the Representative Council of Leaners (RCL) Onwaba Lionel Matyobeni said they are working with the School Governing Body (SGB) and the department to find a way forward.
“The RCL has been meeting with the SGB, Special Action Committee (SAC), and the WCED through an appointed mediator to discuss the way forward for our school.
“The stakeholders (SGB & SAC), including the RCL, are working together to ensure that the school gets back to its normal state.
“As for now, we request that learners go back to classes at full capacity. No more time can be wasted at this point, but it does not mean we’ve stopped fighting; we are acting in the best interest of the learners as there weren’t proper classes over the past two weeks.”
Matyobeni added that a list of demands had been handed over to the WCED in the interim.
“We have listed our demands to the WCED and are now waiting for their positive response.”
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the ongoing demand to have Neumann reinstated was not legally possible.
“Mr Neumann decided to reject the offer of demotion to a head of department post (with the opportunity to apply for a principal post after a 12-month period), as an alternative to dismissal.
“This offer was made to him by the previous provincial minister of education as the appeal authority and his refusal thereof renders the dismissal final and all internal procedures exhausted.
“He has now declared his intention to take this matter further legally by referring it to the relevant bargaining council. The decision by the provincial minister of education is final and cannot be revisited. The merits of this case will now be determined in the appropriate forum.”
She added that the WCED has contracted an independent facilitator who has been engaging with the governing body, educators and staff of Heathfield High with a view to ensuring peace and stability at the school.
“We continue to appeal to all the parents of the learners at Heathfield High School to assist us in stabilising the school by ensuring that their children prioritise their future learning opportunities by not participating in illegal or disruptive activities.”
She noted that the WCED had seen the statement regarding a list of demands from the RCL.
“We will engage with the document once it has been received.”
