The retrenchment of five staff members employed by the School Governing Body (SGB) at Heathfield High School has seen tension among learners and parents rise once again.
In a letter addressed to parents, the Heathfield High Action Committee stated that the “retrenchment” of staff was unfair and had left classes unsupervised.
The letter has since been shared on social media.
Special Action Committee secretary Rofiekah Benjamin says the school has been in chaos since the dismissal of their principal Wesley Neumann.
“Since Mr Neumann’s dismissal, many SGB employees have been retrenched, which has left classes unsupervised, resulting in the existing chaos at the school.
“As recently as Monday 29 August, it was announced in the staff briefing meeting that five non-teaching staff members would receive letters requesting their attendance at a meeting on Tuesday or Wednesday, in order to retrench them. The members received their letters at 21:00 via WhatsApp on Monday evening.”
Benjamin further claims that while some SGB staff members were given 16 hours notice, others were given 36 hours notice.
“This is grossly unfair and completely unacceptable – especially when the most vulnerable members of our society have been affected.
“It is our intention to approach the Labour Court to institute an urgent interdict. However, this costs in excess of R50 000.”
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirms that the SGB had to release some of its staff members due to financial difficulties.
“Due to severe financial difficulties, the SGB had to retrench some of their SGB staff members, despite the best efforts of the school to raise funds to retain them.
“The struggle to pay their salaries has been an ongoing issue for a while. The former principal had himself proposed ending their contracts prior to his dismissal. The staff were well aware that there were ongoing attempts to fundraise. It was a difficult decision, made by the SGB.”
However, she adds that teaching was not affected by retrenchments as claimed on social media.
“The claims circulating on social media are thus false. The attempts by some individuals to destabilise the school environment are, put simply, selfish. The future lives of these learners are at stake here and their interests – which are quality teaching and learning – should take precedence.”
Bronagh adds that it’s the department’s priority to ensure teaching and learning continues in a safe environment and without disruption at Heathfield High School.
Meanwhile, residents reacted to the announcement on social media.
Beverley Stevens wrote: “Since Mr Wesley Newman is no longer the principal of Heathfield High School everything has gone wrong.
“He was the one who protected our children and the surrounding community during Covid. They tried to pull him down in every way possible.”
Crystal Williams commented: “When is all this going to stop? Our kids need to learn and we are heading to the end of the school year shortly… What do we display to our kids?”
