GOOD press statement by Shaun August,
GOOD: National Organiser and Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
19 May 2022
Heathfield High Principal, Mr. Wesley Neaumann, is currently under fire from the Western Cape Education Department for, what can only be described as a morally justifiable stance, when he refused to open the school during one of our nation’s most trying times with the Covid19 pandemic; in favour of protecting his teachers and pupils.
However, for the Western Cape Government this warrants a witchhunt.
Mr. Neaumann has been dismissed as principal by the provincial department while being offered a demotion to head of department at a different school. He has until tomorrow, 20 May 2022, to announce whether or not he will accept this demotion.
The principal acted in the best interest of those in his care as it is documented that the school was not well prepared to receive children.
In addition, more than half of the teaching staff was in isolation or quarantine, only one tap was functional to ensure learners wash their hands regularly and no face shields or proper sets of PPE was received from the provincial department.
The simple truth is that this principal is being scapegoated by a government that did not provide the necessary covid protections.
Amidst this turmoil, the principal and his staff raised the matriculant pass rate for Heathfield High by 12% for the year 2020. But it’s this governments prerogative to give the principal the boot instead of praise him and give him support to take the school to new heights.
For school-going children educators are considered a line of defense; parents entrust their loved ones to the care of teachers and the school management and teachers in return bear the responsibility to safeguard this bond of trust to the best of their ability and protect these children like they would their own.
In true DA style, their solution was to rid the school of a young, dynamic and energetic principle who placed his livelihood on the line to see his students and staff live to excel in their education.
Considering the recent changes to the Western Cape Provincial Executive, I am hopeful that the new MEC for Education, Mr, Maynier, will review these charges and set them aside.
Mr. Neaumann has an entire community, staff and student corps, professional network and the support of the parents; now is the time for politicians to listen.
Media enquiries:
Shaun August, GOOD: National Organiser & Member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Cell: 074 746 7378
Email: shauna@forgood.org.za
Samkelo Mgobozi, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 0792315977 (WhatsApp)/0829684021 (calls)
Email: samm@forgood.org.za