Teachers wear black

EDUCATORS from across the Northern Cape wore black to school yesterday to emphasise that teachers’ lives matter, amidst nationwide concerns of violence in the classroom.

This follows the fatal stabbing of Gadimang Mokolobate by a pupil in Zeerust last week, an incident that sent shock waves through the country and the entire education system.

Among those dressed in black yesterday were the staff at Molehabangwe Primary in Galeshewe where the school principal, Lionel Gaoboihi, sent condolences to the family of the late teacher from the North West.

“Mokolobate was our colleague and this is our way of showing our support,” explained the principal. “Our sympathy goes out to the family and we decided to dress in black in solidarity and to join them in mourning his death.”

Spokesperson for the Northern Cape Department of Education (NCDOE), Geoffrey van der Merwe, confirmed that teachers at schools throughout the Province had shown their support as he called on parents and the general public to protect their teachers.

“We should remember that pupils are a reflection of our communities,” he explained.

“Our homes are the first institution of learning where discipline, respect and moral values should be inculcated. Parents must be actively involved in their children’s education and provide teachers with the necessary co-operation when bad behaviour or ill discipline is reported.

“It is clear that the societal ills that vest themselves within our communities are infiltrating our schools premises.”

Meanwhile, the president of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), Nkosiphendule Ntantala, said that last week’s stabbing was a reminder of the harsh and hostile conditions in which teachers are forced to work as he encouraged victims to report abuse.

“Violence against teachers is not a new a phenomenon but the indiscipline of pupils in schools remain under-reported,” he said.