Allegations that learners are taken from their schools to entertain governmental dignitaries with traditional dances while others are proceeding with the lessons, are causing uproar in schools in the Vhembe District.

Schools that are experiencing these problems are Movhe Secondary School at Mulenzhe Village and Makuleni Primary School at Ha-Khakhu Village. It is said that learners are hired to perform traditional dances like Tshikona, Xhibelane and Malende to entertain governmental dignitaries, while others are continuing with the lessons. “Principals of these schools have no say and they just release learners immediately when they receive a request from traditional leaders. Should learners fail final examinations, the teachers are in trouble,” a disgruntled teacher said. He added that the problems are emanating from traditional leaders.

Learners from Movhe Secondary were hired to perform a Tshikona dance during school hours when the Thulamela Municipality was officially switching on the electricity at Dovheni Village last Friday. The same applies to Makuleni Primary School. The young boys told Mirror that they were taken from school to honour the launching of the Tshivenda Language Research and Development Center at the University of Venda last Tuesday. “We always go out to honor governmental events and we do not get paid for that,” they said.

Chief Jeffrey Ramovha of Mulenzhe Village said it is true that he takes learners from the classes to perform the Tshikona dance during governmental events. “It is my agreement with the school principal of Movhe Secondary. If the school timetable has ceased, we don’t force them; we take women to perform the xhibelane dance. We are trying to preserve cultures by giving the youth a platform to participate in traditional dances. On Friday, learners are going to practice the Tshikona dance just to prepare them for the big event of the launching of Mukumbi traditional beer near the Eland Resort on Saturday,” Chief Ramovha added.

The acting senior district manager of the Vhembe Department of Education, Mr Moses Rathando, was not aware of that and said he would investigate to find out why learners were released to perform Tshikona dance while others were continuing with lessons.