Teacher, pupil in altercation

Video sparks probe into Cape Town school incident

THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) yesterday said that ill-discipline by pupils would not be tolerated, but that corporal punishment was unacceptable.

This followed a viral video showing a teacher and a pupil at Sans Souci Girls’ High School in Cape Town in a physical altercation.

Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schafer said she was aware of the video.

“I want to state categorically that the actions of the teacher are unacceptable. Any form of corporal punishment in our schools will not be tolerated,” she said.

The department said officials had visited the school yesterday.

“As the teacher in the video is an SGB (school governing body) appointee, the SGB is meeting today to discuss the disciplinary steps going forward,” the department said.

“The investigation will determine whether the pupil will also face disciplinary action. Pupils in the class have been asked to make a statement. There is further video evidence that has been edited out of the version being circulated.”

Schafer said she was aware that some commentators on social media platforms were assuming that the incident was race related.

“While I understand their anger at the images displayed on the edited version, we cannot assume that this was racially motivated. We ask that the public allow the SGB to investigate before such conclusions are made.”

The WCED said pupils at the school held a peaceful protest yesterday during assembly in support of the teacher, stating that the incident was not race related.

“It is this important that we establish all the facts. We are very aware of the many disciplinary challenges our teachers face.

“However, the use of violence to deal with learners that show signs of behavioural issues or are ill-disciplined cannot be tolerated,” the WCED said.

“The South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act 84 of 1996) and the National Education Policy Act, 1996 (Act 27 of 1996) clearly bans corporal punishment in our schools.”

The department said the school’s code of conduct should state clearly what kinds of behaviour were unacceptable.

“The WCED will support schools that ensure that the relevant disciplinary procedures are followed when it comes to any form of violence or antisocial behaviour in our schools. This is because we take a zero-tolerance stance on pupils that transgress various disciplinary codes by attacking or assaulting their fellow learners or teachers.”

The department urged teachers to exercise control when confronted with issues of ill-discipline.

Schafer said there were a number of programmes in place for district-specific behaviour interventions.

“Districts are providing an array of skills training in alternative and restorative strategies to deal with learner discipline. Schools are encouraged to inform the district should they have training needs.

“Schools are to ensure that they are informed of the relevant guidelines to assist them in this regard.” | African News Agency (ANA)