Principal is a bully, say parents and staff

PARENTS and staff have spoken out about alleged victimisation and a toxic culture at Stratford Primary in Eerste River.

The Western Cape Education Department is investigating allegations levelled at the school’s principal, Christopher Dietrich, of interrogation of pupils, refusing teachers time off for doctor’s appointments and blackmail.

An employee at the school, who chose to remain anonymous fearing victimisation, recalled an incident in which a group of pupils were called to the principal’s office and allegedly interrogated about an incident involving another teacher.

“These Grade 7 learners were traumatised and scared after they came from his office.”

The employee said some of the children were crying and said the principal had recorded them and warned them they would get in trouble if they didn’t tell the truth.

“When they said things he didn’t want to hear, he would stop the recording and redo it. To make matters worse, there wasn’t a parent or SGB (school governing body) member present and their parents were not informed about the recordings.”

A teacher’s assistant told Weekend Argus when he approached the principal about the interrogation allegations, the principal asked if he had a personal problem with him.

“I told him there’s no personal problem but if what he is doing is true, I won’t stand for it. I am employed to make the learners feel safe and that’s what I was doing. Then he said if I interfere with the learners, he will have me removed from school.”

Aneline Steenkamp, 63, is still mourning the loss of her son, Melrich Steenkamp, 28, who was employed at the school until his death in October 2020.

Steenkamp said before the principal was appointed at the school, her son had been happy.

“My son loved what he did, he loved his learners and his job, but when that principal was appointed I could immediately see the changes.

In 2020, Melrich became ill after contracting Covid-19.

Steenkamp said her son never properly recovered from the virus and developed a chest and heart condition.

Steenkamp said in September last year, her son had an appointment to go for heart tests but the principal refused to give him the time off.

“My son was warned that his contract would come to an end if he stayed out of school. So he continued working and asked for the appointment to be moved. It was school holidays in October that year, and a day before school started he still told me that the holidays went by so quickly; that night he passed away.”

“Since then I tried speaking to the principal because I wanted to know why he didn’t let my son go for the tests, tests that may have saved his life. But every time I tried it was either he wasn’t available or he was too busy.

Millicent Merton, a spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department, said the district office was aware of the allegations regarding Stratford Primary School’s principal and was attending to the matter.

Merton added that they were unable to provide further comment at this stage.