Teacher walkout deepens at Umkhumbane Secondary as parents back CCTV cameras and Education Department stays silent.
Image: SITHUNYELWE
Umkhumbane Secondary School remains locked in a standoff between its School Governing Body (SGB), teachers, and parents after the installation of CCTV cameras in classrooms sparked a boycott by members of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU).
The cameras were introduced last year to curb theft, bullying, and damage to learners’ belongings. However, 21 SADTU-affiliated teachers have refused to return to class since February 9, leaving only 16 teachers to manage 1,334 pupils.
Since then, the SGB have called for qualified teachers to assist voluntarily. A few have and some UKZN final-year students have stepped in to keep the classes running.
The SGB in a statement this week also appealed for financial contributions to support stipends and possible legal action.
“The learners are losing valuable time of learning,” the SGB warned in the statement, urging community support. “We remain committed to ensuring continuity of teaching and the safety of everyone and their belongings while at school premises.”
The statement said that during the discussions of camera installations in classrooms, teachers were present and there were no objections.
It is said that after the installations, a teacher who was absent during that period raised objections, citing violation to his personal privacy.
"He further raised that the teachers must be consulted. The SGB resolved to put on pause the live feed of the cameras while consulting the teachers. We did this though it was not clear what kind of consultation we missed since SGB has teacher-component," read the statement
During the consultation process, the teachers were informed about the reasons for installing the cameras but aggrieved teachers wanted them removed.
"We then called parents meeting to inform them of these new developments. The parents unanimously stated that the cameras will not be removed. The cameras are not for monitoring teaching and learning and its footage cannot be used for such,”
“The cameras are deterring learners’ misconduct and ensuring safety.”
The governing body further assured teachers that “no footage shall be used against them” and that access was restricted to the principal and deputy principals.
The SGB decided to have a meeting with the department of education and SADTU.
The SGB clarified that:
Attempts to get comment from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education was unsuccessful at the time of publishing.