MEC Lesufi Concerned
About Assault of Educators by Learners at Schools
The department is deeply concerned
about the assault of school staff members by learners. Schools are meant to be
a conducive environment for teaching and learning, therefore it is
disappointing that staff members are being physically assaulted and/or
threatened by learners. These incidents of learner misconduct undermine the
authority of educators.
In 2014, ten cases were reported to the
Department, while twenty-six were reported in 2015 and twenty-one in 2016.
Johannesburg East accounted for a high number of assault
cases, with seven cases in 2014, five in 2015 and four in 2016. Johannesburg
North is second, with one case reported in 2014, three in 2015 and five in
2016.
The department
has a policy of zero-tolerance to bullying or any form of misconduct. Anyone
found to be transgressing this policy is dealt with in line with South African
Schools Act (SASA), which governs all schools.
Learners found guilty of misconduct are rehabilitated,
and can be re-instated after successful completion of a diversion programme. In
2015, out of a total of 26 learners facing serious misconduct, 14 were
expelled, while 12 were re-instated.
Cases of
bullying are acted on immediately and parents are informed of
the incident, while the perpetrators go through disciplinary processes
where appropriate sanction or expulsion is recommended to the Head
of Department. Psychosocial support is provided to both victims and
perpetrators.
This information was revealed in a
Parliamentary response by Ms Angie Motshekga MP Minister of Basic Education.
This information was provided to the Minister by the Gauteng Department of
Education.
We
urge learners to abide by the school code of conduct and for teachers to
execute their constitutional mandate with high level of professionalism at all
times, and refrain from any acts of misconduct. We have urged all schools to
enforce their codes of conduct to deal with bullying and other disciplinary
matters.
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