Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Classroom stresses take toll on teachers
There is support, but educators under strain
TEACHERS already struggling with large classes also face physical attacks from criminals who force their way into schools, as well as from the pupils.
At least 52 attacks on teachers were reported to the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) and 33 assaults were reported to the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) by their members between January and March.
According to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) there had been an increase in depression and stress-related leave being taken by teachers but, due to a lack of research, the cause could not exclusively be linked to the school environment, spokesperson Jessica Shelver said.
Audrey Hendricks, a teacher at Fairmount Secondary School in Grassy Park, told Weekend Argus she had suf- fered a mental breakdown as a result of stress-related problems.
The incident had left her feeling discouraged and scared, but she had received therapy to help her overcome the apprehension she felt towards teaching.
“I can’t remember anything, I got into bed and woke up in hospital.They said I had had a total breakdown. Snippets of it come back to me then I block it out.
“I don’t ever want to remember,” she said adding: “Students intimidate you and you take it because you think they are just kids.”
Hendricks was booked off for three terms but returned early, thinking she was ready.
“It’s frightening and dangerous teaching in this area, but I have to work because I have children. Teaching is supposed to be a calling,” she said.
Having been a teacher for 20 years, Hendricks said she had seen colleagues being med- ically boarded as a result of challenging work conditions.
“I remember one colleague who passed away five years ago. He struggled to get medically boarded, it took him a long time and he had heart problems,” Hendricks said. Lavender Hill High School principal Faseegh Manie said many teachers were suffering from health conditions owing to stress.
“To be medically boarded is an extremely arduous process so many teachers do not attempt it,” he said.
According to Manie, teachers were already overburdened with work, overcrowding and ill disciplined pupils and teaching in dangerous situations added to that.
“We need a long-term solution to make schools safer for students and teachers.
“The WCED has tried their best to assist us in creating a safe environment for teachers and students,” he said.
Shelver said the department encouraged teachers to contact the Independent Counselling and Advisory Services (Icas) for any issues regarding mental health.
“In addition, supervisors may refer employees to Icas should they deem it necessary.”
“The policy on incapacity leave and ill-health retirement makes provision for employees to apply for incapacity leave and/or ill-health retirement, which include mental illnesses as well,” she said
Sadtu spokesperson Nomusa Cembi said: “As a union, we have no way of assisting teachers in risk areas. However we have been calling for danger pay or allowance for workers in dangerous areas.”
Provincial chairperson of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa Moses Standaar said there were programmes to assist teachers, such as the education assistance programme and the wellness programme, but “it was still not enough”.
ragheemah.arends@inl.co.za