ALLEGED ABUSE BY TEACHER AT IKAMVA LESIZWE SCHOOL IN KENTON
FOR the second time a woman teacher from Ikamva Lesizwe Combined School has been accused of striking a pupil, and the school is anxious to find out when the provincial education department is going to take action.
This was the word from concerned pupils at the school who allege the teacher struck a pupil across the face in class, and say this is not the first time this has happened.
“The teacher is still teaching classes,” said a source who wishes to remain anonymous. “This is the second such incident and it is about time [the teacher in question] was suspended while an investigation takes place.”
It was stated that the pupils approached the school principal, Gilbert Gqamane, and reported the incident, but that no further action seems to have been taken.
Gqamane was contacted and confirmed the students had approached him and that he had compiled a report for the provincial education department for action.
The alleged incident took place on February 27.
Provincial education department spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said he was aware of the alleged incident and that a full investigation was underway.
“The department requires a report from the principal of the school,” he said. “We then need to investigate and test the allegations.
“However, we want to assure the pupils, teachers and parents that we will leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of this matter. Corporal punishment was abolished in 1996 with the implementation of the SA Schools Act. When you are appointed as a teacher you receive a copy of the act explaining what you can and cannot do.
“It is totally unacceptable if the allegations turn out to be true, and swift action will be taken against her. We also suggest that the pupil involved in the incident report the matter to the police, as this is also a criminal matter.”