Teachers' go-slow condemned across the board

Thousands of pupils have lost valuable classroom time since the start of the 2025 academic year due to a go-slow by teachers protesting the controversial appointment of a principal.

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

All schools under the Mkhuhlu circuit near Hazyview, Mpumalanga, have been affected, with pupils sent home as early as 10 am everyday.

The protest was led by members of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu), who accused a circuit manager of hiring a principal based on a personal relationship.

"It is disheartening to see our children coming back from school in the morning without any lessons taught," said parent Thobile Nkosi. "We were hoping things would change, especially in a month like April with so many holidays. They could have offered full-day lessons to recover time lost."

Nkosi said her son was fortunate to come home and find her there. "Some kids roam the streets because their parents knock off late. Not everyone has a domestic worker. I'm unemployed and survive by selling snacks, so at least I'm home early as well."

The matter reached the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature this week, where EFF MPL Ntsako Mkhabela raised a motion condemning the disruption.