Grahamstown principal have reacted cautiously to the resignation of Eastern Cape education superintendent general, Modidima Mannya, with Graeme College principal Peter Reed the only one of those approached prepared to comment.
Grahamstown principal have reacted cautiously to the resignation of Eastern Cape education superintendent general, Modidima Mannya, with Graeme College principal Peter Reed the only one of those approached prepared to comment.
Mannya resigned from his post on Monday, following steady criticism since he took up the job in October 2000. The department does not have anyone currently standing in for Mannya.
Reed said, “I have mixed feelings regarding his dismissal as I know he was trying to do a good job. His policies were centred on the children and if that’s what we are going to miss from his dismissal, that is very sad.
I am quite concerned with the fact that there will be no one in his place, but as we are a Section 21 school, the impact will not be as large. We do not have to rely on the Education Department as much as Section 20 schools.”
Officials at other government schools in Grahamstown declined to comment. Indeed, Mango Nkwinti, acting principal of Nathaniel Nyaluza Primary School, said they had been expressly warned not to comment on the matter.
While Sadtu national representatives report that the teachers’ union was pleased with the overall outcome, the union has been reported saying someone new was needed who would work with and take into account the problems that teachers face throughout the Eastern Cape.
Sadtu’s Eastern Cape Secretary Mncekeleli Ndongeni was unavailable for comment, as were officials at the Department of Education's Grahamstown office.
See reactions from the streets of G'town…
