The acting principal at Hout Bay High School has been recalled, pending further investigation only three days into the job.
People’s Post reports that Andre Sampie wrote, in a letter to parents that circuit manager, Matthew Lambert, had informed him of complaints regarding his appointment as the acting principal.
The letter stated that a parent, “on behalf of members of the parent community”, had forwarded a complaint to the Western Cape Education Minister’s Office.
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“In order to maintain stability and to minimize disruptions, the district office recommended the appointment of the ex-principal, Juan Julius, to serve as the curator principal,” he wrote.
In a media statement, calling for Sampie’s reinstatement, community activist Roscoe Jacobs said the decision of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to remove Sampie without a proper investigation into the “nonsensical claims of him not being loyal to the school and community” was absurd.
“Why was the acting principal not given the position of acting principal till the ‘investigation’ into these allegations is completed?” Jacobs asked.
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The statement further described Sampie as a qualified and competent educator.
“The parents and community in their majority have faith in his capabilities and believe he has the best interest of the children at heart,” Jacobs added.
Sampie’s short-lived appointment as acting principal follows the departure of former caretaker principal Faseeg Manie.
According to the WCED, Manie had opted not to renew his contract. With no new principal appointed by the time his contract had come to an end, parents and learners were uncertain who would take up the reins at the school.
In the statement released on Friday, Jacobs said, failing the reinstatement of Sampie, “we will embark on mass action through mobilizing the learners, staff and community”.
“Furthermore, we wish to invite the Standing Committee of Education in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature and National Parliament to come to do an oversight visit with us in our schools in Hout Bay,” he said.
No response to media enquiries has been received.
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Photo: Facebook/Hout Bay High