Protection of teachers is a priority

Reports of staff being slapped, stabbed and furniture thrown at them

WE WILL be foolish to believe that a teacher’s only concern or priority is to deliver the curriculum in pursuit of quality public education.

Teachers must add to their list their personal safety, which is threatened on a daily basis.

Teaching, the noble profession, which earned the respect of the community, no longer enjoys this protection.

Teachers have been the victims of crimes such as hijackings, assault and robberies inflicted by members of the community.

Due to a lack of security at schools, teachers have become soft targets to all and sundry.

Schools perimeters are not fenced or if there is a fence, it is dilapidated making for easy access to those who prey on educators.

There have been many incidents reported to Naptosa (National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa) where criminals robbed teachers in their classrooms of cellphones, laptops and other belongings.

Recently, a teacher from New West Secondary was robbed in her classroom.

Her cellphone was taken by the thugs.

The employer, in any workplace, is responsible for providing reasonable security for its employees.

The KZN Department of Education has failed dismally in this regard.

One security guard allocated to a school is by any standard grossly inadequate considering the extent of the school property.

Fences that purport to keep out unsavoury elements are dilapidated and ineffective.

It is unfortunate that teachers from affluent schools in wealthy communities are afforded more protection.

This is due to the School Governing Bodies footing the bill on extraordinary security measures, including electric fenced borders, CCTV, private security companies and a battalion of security personnel.

The system of school promotions in this country has, of recent, also contributed to the attacks on teachers.

Teachers, who pose a threat to others in the promotion process, may become the victims of intimidation, physical harm or even death.

At times communities are mobilised against teachers, who may have been promoted, resulting in violent threatening protests outside or within the borders of the school.

This conduct has a physical and psychological impact on the teacher, who is therefore unable to function at an optimum level.

Those exposed to this conduct are forced to either endure the threatening violent conduct or apply for a transfer through the employer.

The process results in the teacher being placed at another school; it disrupts the life of the teacher and that of his or her pupils.

Pupil on teacher assault has been a daily occurrence in our schools.

In high schools, teachers engage with young adults, who are physically capable of assaulting them.

Naptosa has received reports of teachers being slapped, stabbed and had furniture shoved at them.

What options do teachers have? Laying a criminal charge and being a victim of an ineffective justice system, especially when the offender is a juvenile or have the provisions of the South African Schools Act play out, does not help.

In terms of the provisions of the Act, the SGB must set up a tribunal to discipline the pupil.

The inevitable reality is that the pupil finds himself or herself back in your class within a few days.

The precedent has been set that you can get away with minimum consequences for assaulting the teacher, hence teachers will continue to be vulnerable victims of assault at the hands of their own pupils.

Such a scenario is untenable where there is little or no respect for teachers and the authority that teachers should command is constantly under threat.

A conducive teaching and learning environment is one that is fuelled by mutual respect.

However, this is progressively diminishing leaving the teachers exposed to risk, even from their own pupils.

One of the contributing factors to pupil on teacher assault is alcohol and drugs especially the use of dagga in schools.

Dagga is widely smoked in schools, resulting in pupils sitting in classes devoid of reality hence making the assault on teachers easier.

The consumption of alcohol is also a common occurrence, where pupils as young as 10 years old arrive inebriated at school or consume alcohol at school.

Again, such pupils are not of sober mind and at times become violent towards their peers and teachers.

A pattern of protesting against teachers has recently established itself in schools.

Pupils, who may have an incident with teachers or a teacher who is not popular with pupils, may find himself or herself the subject of protest action.

This occurred last year at Sparks Estate Secondary where the protests turned so violent that the principal’s car was turned on its roof.

Where is the employer in all this drama and chaos we find in schools?

I’m afraid the employer’s response is usually ineffective.

Despite the frequency of teachers being victims of assault by pupils or crime, the department had failed to prioritise security in schools.

There has not been a shift in the department’s budget that addresses the security weaknesses in schools.

Neither has the department endeavoured to partner with the security cluster of government to make security at schools a collective responsibility of all.Naptosa has through its congress called for the department to prioritise security at schools not only to protect teachers but pupils as well.

It is of great concern to Naptosa that our teachers, whom we trust with our children, are themselves exposed to great risk and are expected to deliver the curriculum and achieve the desired outcomes under such treacherous conditions.

What is a teacher expected to prioritise?

Teaching our children or protecting himself or herself from physical harm?

• Thirona Moodley is the KZN chief executive of Naptosa