New PPS principal eager for change
47 learners sent home
While some parents have lamented the new principal's actions, others have welcomed them.
While last week's temporary suspension of 47 learners at People's Primary School (PPS) in the heart of Katutura left parents upset, the education ministry welcomed the decision, saying it is a step in the right direction in order to discipline learners.
The school’s new principal, Elsandra Skrywer, met with the parents of affected learners to discuss the drastic interventions taken by the school.
In a letter to parents on 3 September in which the school justified the suspensions, the reasons that led to the mass suspensions ranged from books that were not covered, homework that was not done, textbooks and school materials that were missing and also a general unproductive approach to the seriousness of school education among the children.
One parent who attended Friday's meeting supports the principal's actions and said parents must also take responsibility for their children's attitude towards education.
The suspensions have since been lifted and the school community is now more committed to improving conditions at this important urban school, he said.
Drastic but effective
Education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp supported the school’s decision to suspend the learners.
"She [Skrywer] was newly appointed [about a month ago] and she is looking for change. We do not get the necessary support from the parents. The role and function of parents in education is extremely important," she said.
Steenkamp emphasised that the learners were not suspended, but rather sent home to inform their parents to visit the school. Out of the 47 children involved, 41 parents visited the school the very next day, she said.
New school management must always build a relationship with parents and the school community, the executive director said.
"There are three things that the school has in place. There is a code of conduct that applies to learners and teachers, there is a working school board and a disciplinary committee. According to the law, the principal may suspend learners before or after an investigation into misconduct. Was it drastic and unusual? Yes, but it made the parents come to the school," she noted.
Proud
The issue is mainly rooted in missing textbooks and learning materials, she explained.
"How are the children supposed to prepare for the end of the year without it? I am proud of her [Skrywer] because she assessed the situation first. She went from class to class to see for herself what was missing and she worked closely with the chairman of the school board," Steenkamp said.
She further pointed out that after one of the learners fought with a teacher, their parent was rude and defensive, rather than accepting responsibility to promote better behaviour and discipline in the child.
She made reference to the Basic Education Act when she argued that quality education needs a deep sense of understanding, tolerance, togetherness and respect between parents and teachers.
The law also specifically refers to discipline among learners, and in article 17, subsection 2, refers to parents and their role, Steenkamp said.
"Parents have the first responsibility to motivate their children and cultivate good behaviour and discipline.”
PPS parents now have a chance to use the mid-term break from 6 to 13 September to put things right and purchase the necessary books, she said.
The school’s new principal, Elsandra Skrywer, met with the parents of affected learners to discuss the drastic interventions taken by the school.
In a letter to parents on 3 September in which the school justified the suspensions, the reasons that led to the mass suspensions ranged from books that were not covered, homework that was not done, textbooks and school materials that were missing and also a general unproductive approach to the seriousness of school education among the children.
One parent who attended Friday's meeting supports the principal's actions and said parents must also take responsibility for their children's attitude towards education.
The suspensions have since been lifted and the school community is now more committed to improving conditions at this important urban school, he said.
Drastic but effective
Education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp supported the school’s decision to suspend the learners.
"She [Skrywer] was newly appointed [about a month ago] and she is looking for change. We do not get the necessary support from the parents. The role and function of parents in education is extremely important," she said.
Steenkamp emphasised that the learners were not suspended, but rather sent home to inform their parents to visit the school. Out of the 47 children involved, 41 parents visited the school the very next day, she said.
New school management must always build a relationship with parents and the school community, the executive director said.
"There are three things that the school has in place. There is a code of conduct that applies to learners and teachers, there is a working school board and a disciplinary committee. According to the law, the principal may suspend learners before or after an investigation into misconduct. Was it drastic and unusual? Yes, but it made the parents come to the school," she noted.
Proud
The issue is mainly rooted in missing textbooks and learning materials, she explained.
"How are the children supposed to prepare for the end of the year without it? I am proud of her [Skrywer] because she assessed the situation first. She went from class to class to see for herself what was missing and she worked closely with the chairman of the school board," Steenkamp said.
She further pointed out that after one of the learners fought with a teacher, their parent was rude and defensive, rather than accepting responsibility to promote better behaviour and discipline in the child.
She made reference to the Basic Education Act when she argued that quality education needs a deep sense of understanding, tolerance, togetherness and respect between parents and teachers.
The law also specifically refers to discipline among learners, and in article 17, subsection 2, refers to parents and their role, Steenkamp said.
"Parents have the first responsibility to motivate their children and cultivate good behaviour and discipline.”
PPS parents now have a chance to use the mid-term break from 6 to 13 September to put things right and purchase the necessary books, she said.
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