Unions shocked by remark

Educator very ‘insensitive’

South Africa’s education unions said they were shocked by the insensitive conduct of the teacher.

Mugwena Maluleke, general secretary of the South African democratic teachers union (Sadtu), said the teacher was very insensitive to George Floyd family and the many families in the US who are going through the brutality of the police and white supremacy.

“Institutionalised racism is horrific and for this teacher to find it appropriate to use the knee to strangulate the learners must be condemned and an investigation be instituted to find out if this is an isolated incident or a systemic racism.

“As Sadtu we stand in solidarity with the families who are saying enough is enough,” Maluleke said.

Basil Manuel, executive director of the National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), said the teacher’s conduct was certainly a serious disciplinary matter.

“She seems very contrite in the video but we must be more guarded and of course teachers are held to a higher standard because our learners are exactly just learners,” Manuel said.

Ben Machipi, general secretary of the Professional Educators Union (PEU), said any physical abuse or a threat thereof is contravention of the South African Schools Act and is punishable by law. – Yoliswa Sobuwa