Failing Wordsworth High School ‘a microcosm of educational issues'

The Citizen

16-05-2025

Experts say the chaos at Wordsworth High School reflects a broader leadership and discipline crisis in South Africa's schools.
Education experts yesterday described the dysfunction at Benoni's Wordsworth High School as alarming, saying it reflected a microcosm of the disturbing trend in South African schools, with some principals lacking management, administrative and leadership skills.
Heleen Hofmeyr of Stellenbosch University, author of a study on teacher stress levels which pointed to 50% of teachers wanting to leave the profession, said the chaotic situation at Wordsworth was 'not unique'.
National Association of School Governing Bodies general secretary Matakanye Matakanya said Wordsworth school mirrored 'a national problem'.
Wordsworth mirrors 'national problem'
'A teacher who finished university five years ago – now a principal – does not have experience of managing people.
'Due to corruption in the country, somebody who does not have teaching qualifications buys his or her way into becoming a teacher or principal.
'This person does not have management, administrative or leadership skills to become a principal, with some simply put there by their organisations,' Matakanya said.
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He urged the department of basic education to 'as soon as yesterday, embark on auditing schools looking for qualifications'.
The department, he said, should 'see whether a person qualifies for the job'.
Leading educationist Mary Metcalfe said: 'The situation at Wordsworth is alarming.
Need for district to step in
'Where such dysfunction exists, there is a need for the district to step in.
'Key stakeholders should be mobilised into a clear programme to address these problems.
'Schools are part of society, reflecting problems in society and the broader community. All key stakeholders should be involved in supporting schools experiencing such problems.'
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Clinical psychologist Keitumetse Mashego said there were 'multiple causes for the current state of schools'.
'What's happening in the schools reflects the struggles in our society, such as substance abuse. Moral decay includes discipline issues, ruthlessness, racism and so many stressors faced daily by South Africans like electricity, water and the cost of living,' Mashego said.
Teachers, she said, were 'sadly not being equipped'.
Teachers not being equipped
'The education system is falling apart under pressure, where parents, school governing bodies, key stakeholders, principals and the government, are at times a problem.
'This leads to ill discipline for pupils and non-performing teachers.
'Unfortunately, some principals are not managers or leaders. They struggle with ethical practices and an inability to instil discipline when needed in scholars, teachers or themselves.
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'Some have no passion for their work and are self-focused, corrupting the system and are a part of the problem,' Mashego said.
'Schools need to have strict polices that are enforced on those who break rules.
'Policies should be consistently enforced with serious consequences, no matter who the student is.'
Schools need to have strict policies
Ongoing education sessions about the impact of substances and other mental health challenges should be held with pupils and they should have access to social workers and mental health professionals for screening and support, she said.
'There needs to be parenting assessment and support.'