Parents take a stand at Lower Cross Roads High School as principal faces backlash
Parents stood firm at the Lower Crossroads High School gate.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Teaching and learning at Lower Crossroads High School were disrupted after angry parents shut the school gates in protest, demanding that the caretaker principal leave the school.
Parents gathered outside the school expressed concerns about what they described as the principal's “dictatorial behaviour.”
They accused him of making unilateral decisions without consulting parents, staff, or the broader school community.
Lower Crossroads High School pupils heading home early on Monday morning.
Image: Phiri Cawe
According to the protesting parents, the principal allegedly makes decisions independently on matters affecting the school, leaving stakeholders feeling excluded from important processes.
“We have been concerned for a very long time. We were here in February and asked him to call the Education Department so we could all meet together. The reason was that we wanted to raise these issues in front of officials while he was present. He promised to call the department, but he never did that. Today, we felt we should come and tell him to leave and only come back with officials,” said South African National Civics Organisation (SANCO) chairperson Nomampondo Cawe.
She mentioned that the community had also received complaints from pupils who were unhappy with the situation at the school. Cawe stated that parents were deeply concerned about their children’s education and would not stand by while learners suffered.
“If he does not succumb to our demands, the situation will remain like this. We have contacted the Education Department because we feel he is undermining us,” she said.
Community member Vukile Fikizolo from Ward 35 apologised to pupils, the school governing body, and teachers for the disruption, but said the protest was necessary for the principal to take the community seriously. He stressed that the protest was not politically motivated but driven by concerns raised by parents and residents.
“Let us first apologise to the children and teachers of the school for what we are doing. But we are doing this for them. We want our children to receive a better education in the area where they live. We do not want them to travel far because they believe better education can be found somewhere else. We cannot allow one person to hold the whole community to ransom. This man needs to account to the community and not take decisions alone,” he said.
He added that the caretaker principal needs to follow proper procedures and engage with stakeholders transparently.
This unidentified woman was not happy with the closing of the school gate because she wanted to sell her stuff.
Image: Phiri Cawe
When the publication visited the school, learners were gathered around the premises, with some playing football while classes remained suspended. Some pupils said they were unhappy about the situation but felt powerless to change it. Others supported the protest, claiming they were required to pay R5 every day without being told the purpose of the money.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed that a group of parents had temporarily disrupted teaching and learning at Lower Cross Roads High School by preventing the caretaker principal from accessing the premises, resulting in the early dismissal of learners.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said department officials engaged with the parents, who raised concerns about delays in appointing a permanent principal, school governance matters, and the allocation of teaching posts. She explained the recruitment process and clarified ongoing staffing procedures.
Children in groups before heading home.
Image: Phiri Cawe
“Parents were reminded of their responsibility to avoid disruptions to teaching and learning in terms of the South African Schools Act. The meeting concluded with an agreement that no further disruptions will occur, and teaching and learning will resume as normal, with the caretaker principal and staff continuing their duties,” she said.
She added that the WCED remains committed to constructive engagement with the school community.
The principal referred the publication to the WCED for comment.