Times Of Swaziland: BOYCOTTING CENTRAL HIGH  PUPILS CLASH WITH COPS

BOYCOTTING CENTRAL HIGH  PUPILS CLASH WITH COPS
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BY SABELO MAZIBUKO on 05/03/2014 02:45:00


MBABANE – Mbabane Central High School pupils yesterday clashed with the Royal
Swaziland Police after they boycotted classes over sporting activities.
The school’s operations were totally grounded in the morning as pupils chanted
political songs and toyi-toyed while carrying placards.
Written on the placards were their grievances directed to the school’s
administration. Police had to be called to restore order at the school as the
situation was threatening to become chaotic.
After an hour of demonstration, the pupils were ordered to meet at the assembly
spot where they were addressed by the Head teacher John Gwebu in what proved to
be a failed attempt to calm the pupils.
The pupils told Gwebu that they wanted the administration to change its decision
of not allowing pupils to take part in sporting activities.
Gwebu insisted that the administration wanted the pupil to focus on their
academic performance as the number of fails recorded by the school warranted
that the situation be addressed urgently. In response to the irate pupils’
plea, Gwebu said the right channels had to be followed to solve the matter, much
to the disapproval of the pupils who demanded answers.
It was then that police officers chased the pupils and assaulted some of them as
they ordered them to go to class. The action forced the pupils to run
helter-skelter, with most of them jumping through windows as they evaded the
advancing police officers.
Some pupils who were hurt were seen weeping as they claimed to have been injured
during the fracas. The assembly square was cleared within a twinkle of an eye
after the police’s intervention.
The pupils said they were angered by the school’s decision to suspend ball
games and cultural activities for this academic year.
The school administration is said to have resolved in their last parental
meeting that sporting activities should be suspended. Adding salt to their
wounds was that the school’s football team are the current defending champions
in the ball games.
The head teacher was resolute in that they will not change their decision. He
said they would only take part in athletics this year.
“We resorted that sporting activities be suspended for this year because the
number of fails at the end of the year was alarming. We are trying to make up
for lost time academically speaking, and then next year we might consider
engaging in sporting activities again,” said Gwebu.
He said the pupils were seemingly giving more focus on games instead of focusing
on their schoolwork. He said the situation needed to be resolved for the smooth
operation of the school. He said the pupils started rioting last week Friday,
demanding that sporting activities be reinstated.
Another concern raised by the pupils was the issue of computer lessons.  The
pupils alleged that they paid for computer lessons but are not offered at the
school.
They also complained that they are served with beans every day and needed
change. The head teacher said the food was acceptable.