Strikers cause havoc at local primary school

By Chanel September
15 June 2007

More than 1000 striking teachers caused chaos at a primary school in Cape Town on Thursday, demanding access to the premises.

Strikers invaded three classrooms at Northpine Primary School intimidating teachers and traumatising learners.” I opened the gates to prevent it from being damaged”, says principal of the school, John Hendricks.

“Strikers are targeting schools were exams are scheduled to take place, this is going to lead to increased tension and conflict”, says education spokesperson Gert Witbooi.

“The department condemns the behaviour of the teachers in the strongest possible terms and we are going to beef up security at those schools at risk”, says Witbooi.

The department has also informed SA Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) of the actions of their members.

“We are aware of what happened at Northpine Primary School. At the moment we are circulating reports about incident”, says provincial secretary for SADTU, Jonavan Rustin.

Rustin added that, “further investigation in currently underway and if members of the union had transgressed we will deal with them in terms of our disciplinary code of conduct”.

Meanwhile in separate incident learners from Eben Donges High School in Kraafontein had to evacuate the school premises after a bomb scare. Police arrived at the scene and combed the area for explosives. Learners were sent back to class after it turned out to be a hoax.