Furious deaf pupils protest over poor treatment
Deputy principal of VN Naik School, Angel Maistry, allayed fears that there is institutional decay at the school, saying that the issues the pupils had brought up are being dealt with.
The fiery frustration of pupils at VN Naik School for the Deaf led to the burning of waste and the hoisting of placards on Monday when the pupils of the special needs institution staged a protest against what they have deemed the alleged poor quality of food they are provided, unhygienic toilets and unmaintained dormitories as well as the lack of sporting activities.
The show of dissent by the pupils has shone a light on the institution, bringing into question the operations of the 40-year-old school.
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A former pupil, who has been in contact with the irate pupils, said that the bone of contention was the alleged quality and meagre portions of food that the pupils are served, the lack of sporting activities and ill-treatment at the hands of the head of the school.
“Those children deserve a better life there at VN Naik. The food they eat is not good at all. The toilets are hardly cleaned and the dormitories are not taken care of. The principal abuses the children. She can’t talk to the staff properly either. The pupils are tired of living under such conditions,” she said.
The school has 260 pupils from grades 0 to 12, 100 of whom live in the hostel.
President of the KwaZulu-Natal Blind and Deaf Society, Veetha Sewkuran, said, “We are concerned about the situation at VN Naik School for the Deaf. We are concerned for the pupils and staff and the children who live in the hostel. We hope that the SGB and the Department of Education take the appropriate steps to resolve the situation and return the school to an environment fit for teaching and learning.”
Deputy principal of VN Naik School, Angel Maistry, allayed fears that there is institutional decay at the school, saying that the issues the pupils had brought up are being dealt with.
“After the protest, we did speak to the children and have since resolved the issues. We have spoken to the catering company to increase the portions of meals. The toilet that was not working is being repaired, a plumber has been called. The children are happy with our intervention,” she said. Maistry also vehemently denied allegations that the principal, Mrs Memela, had ill-treated pupils and staff, saying that she has conducted herself with the utmost professionalism since she took up the position last year. It was also revealed that the school has suffered a spate of robberies, one of which saw thieves make off with all of the sports equipment.
Provincial police spokesperson, Col Robert Netshiunda, confirmed the incident and stated that no injuries were reported.
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“Pupils at a certain school in Newlands allegedly engaged in protest action within the premises of the school. There were no injuries reported or property damaged during the protest, therefore, there was no case opened the matter was resolved by the school,” said Col Netshiunda.
Attempts to solicit a comment from Muzi Mahlambi, spokesperson of the KZN Department of Education, proved unsuccessful.
