A MPUMALANGA school principal has opted to resign than become an ordinary teacher after being demoted.

Sisasa Frans Kanyane, the principal at Ditlhokwe Primary School in GaMaria, was demoted for allegedly being lazy and frequently absconding from work.

Kanyane was redeployed to the neighboring Moepi High School in Marapyane after serving 15 years as the headmaster at Ditlhokwe Primary School.

Mpumalanga education department spokesperson Jasper Zwane confirmed yesterday that Kanyane had handed in his resignation letter.

"We have accepted the letter and we wish him well in his future endeavours," said Zwane.

"As the department, we could not stand in his way and we would like to thank him for his 15-year service with us," he said.

Kanyane was demoted following complaints from parents that he was constantly absent from school.

Angry parents alleged that in a month, Kanyane would report only once at the school without valid reasons.

The department charged him, and Kanyane appeared before a disciplinary hearing where he was found guilty of misconduct. He was subsequently transferred to Moepi High School.

The decision caused much jubilation among GaMaria villagers, who described the move as "long overdue".

The villagers claimed that in a month, Kanyane would report for work only once and that he did not have the children's interests at heart.

They further claimed that on the few days that he reported for duty, he would knock off at about 10am while the school normally finishes at 2pm.

Kanyane initially challenged his demotion but later changed his mind.