Classes suspended in Durban schools over learners’ ‘ancestral calling’

Teaching and learning was disrupted in Durban schools this week and learners had to be sent home early. This was after other pupils started experiencing an ‘ancestral calling’

The AD Lazarus Secondary School in New Germany Road, Reservoir Hills and the P.R. Pather Secondary School in Merebank both suspended classes on Thursday and Friday respectively.

DURBAN SCHOOLS SUSPEND CLASSES 

P.R Pather Secondary School in Merebank suspended classes on Friday, 25 February. 

In a letter to parents and guardians the school said they had no choice but to suspend classes due to a number of learners affected by ancestral calling. 

“We appeal to parents of affected learners to seek the necessary help. Learners are to be kept at home until they are completely healed. Please make the necessary transport arrangements for your child/ward. The safety of our children is of utmost importance to us.” 

PR Pather Secondary School principal

PT Alarms said the affected pupils were displaying strange behaviour and were attended to by PT Ambulance Medics. Pupils appeared to be displaying movements resembling a seizure. Medics were able to calm the affected pupils.

AD Lazarus also called for understanding and sensitivity in the matter.

“The reason for this urgent decision is several learners are displaying ancestral calling which is now out of control and disrupting learning and teaching. We are taking every precaution under the circumstances to ensure the safety of our learners.”

AD Lazarus Secondary School

SCHOOLS DISRUPTED OVER TIKTOK CHALLENGE

This week, police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) had to disperse a rowdy and unruly crowd of pupils in Phoenix who embarked on the viral TikTok #SchoolsChallenge.  At least 5 schools were reported to have done the challenge on Monday, 21 February.

Other schools in the country have also embraced the #SchoolsChallenge which started out as #SchoolbagChallenge in January. They brought washing machines, prams, cooler boxes, supermarket trolleys and other items instead of school bags. 

KZN Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi slammed the learners saying the TikTok challenge may put their lives in danger. 

“Even worse, now they climb on top of the roofs that they are not even sure how strong they are. These actions pose danger in their lives because what if the roof collapses with a learner and they get injured or die? I have also seen a video of learners pulling the teacher’s car wipers off, which is wrong.”

Muzi Mahlambi

ALSO READ: KZN pupils stone cars doing the #Schoolbag TikTok challenge