Download PDFOn 10 February 2025, community members, learners, and parents staged a protest outside the premises of Sinako High School on Tutu Avenue, in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, expressing concerns over poor leadership at the school. The demonstration, which started at 8:00 am, comes after years of growing frustration.
The protesters included parents, learners, and other concerned community members. They raised complaints over different issues at the school, including ongoing electricity outages, a lack of textbooks, and broken classroom doors and windows.
The school calendar is already midway through the first term, students still do not have the necessary books to study. The school’s infrastructure has also deteriorated with a notable lack of chairs and desks in classrooms.
The root of this protest is the frustration caused by the school’s acting principal, Nomvuyo Lusikisiki, who has held the position since 2021. Parents, community members, and teachers are calling for her removal. They say her ineffective leadership and poor relationships with staff affect the learners and the school’s progress.
“This is not just about [school] books, it’s about the entire state of the school,” said one parent.
“We need a principal who will take care of our children’s education and well-being,” she continued.
The protest highlights the broader issues within the country’s education system, including a lack of infrastructure, resource shortages, and poor governance.
As the protest continues outside Sinako High School, it remains to be seen whether the Department of Education will intervene to address community and learners’ concerns.
This article was submitted on 18 February 2025. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the authors and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
