Sadtu concerned at number of attacks on teachers

AT LEAST 52 attacks on teachers in the province by pupils, parents and community members were recorded in the first school term, according to the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu).

The union said it had noted concerns at the increase of violence directed at teachers, support staff and pupils at schools.

According to statistics released by the provincial education department from January to March this year, there have been nine attacks on teachers by community members, 39 attacks by pupils and four attacks by parents. Last year in the fourth term there were 134 incidents of abuse and 14 incidents of trauma reported to the department, Sadtu said.

“We are of the firm belief that all employers have a responsibility to protect their employees from violence and secure their safety at workplace.

“In light of attacks on the educators, support staff and pupils, Sadtu calls on the provincial government to put in place plans to ensure that all schools are safe. We are calling on the police to increase visible patrolling at our schools and for members of police to adopt schools to ensure a safe environment,” the union said.

National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa provincial deputy chairperson Tony Marshall said they were aware that such violent incidents happened at schools. He added they were part of a broader problem needing to be dealt with in society. – Staff Reporter