Principal locks out teachers
NHLANGANO - The opening of schools started off on a bad note at Eric Rosenberg Primary School as teachers were locked out of the staffroom.
The primary school is situated under Gege constituency and it is alleged that for the past two days teachers were denied access to the staffroom because they had allegedly turned it into a gossiping place.
It is alleged the principal, Wilson Mbingo, did not approve of the act by the teachers and decided to keep them out of the staffroom and told them to go to their respective classrooms. Some teachers alleged that the principal vehemently told them they were gossipers and liked other people’s stories.
“Without explaining further he proceeded to the staffroom and locked it, much to our surprise. The inconvenience caused was such that working material like chalk, dusters and a stick were locked in, whilst he enjoyed the comfort of his office,” said a teacher.
They said they were surprised when a teacher sent to the school allegedly by the Teaching Service Commission was allegedly turned back on Tuesday, despite the school being understaffed.
When reached for comment Mbingo said he simply locked the staffroom because he does not expect a single teacher to sit or relax at the staffroom but instead they should report to their respective classes.
The principal said the school currently had 17 classes therefore a teacher was expected to be in class at all times. “Since the enrolment at the school declined that means even the number of teachers has also decreased. If a teacher needs a chalk for instance he/she is free to come to me to request it and I will gladly open the staffroom to take the material and lock it again,” said Mbingo.