Teacher gets warning for duster smacks

A MOTHERWELL teacher who was caught on camera hitting pupils’ hands with a blackboard duster has been given a final written warning – a punishment which has seen a children’s rights organisation express its disappointment.

Pumla Zatu was videotaped meting out the corporal punishment against Grade 10 James Jalobe Secondary School pupils last month.

The director of the Khula children’s rights organisation, Petros Majola, said that despite several attempts, and workshops by the government, to educate teachers about the dangers of corporal punishment, teachers continued with the banned practice.

Majola also said the punishment did not help restore the relationship between the teacher and the pupils.

“A final written warning does not address the pain and trauma inflicted on pupils. How will they restore that relationship between teacher and pupils? The teacher must not . . . take revenge on those who distributed the video.”

Zatu, who teaches life orientation, was caught on camera forcing a group of pupils to line up before dishing out the punishment for failure to do an assignment.

Eastern Cape Department of Education spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said that following a disciplinary hearing Zatu was found guilty and was given a final written warning.

“We appeal to educators to respect the law. The school policy clearly stipulates corporal punishment has been abolished. There are many remedial ways to deal with bad behaviour.”

Zatu was seen hitting three girls and a boy over the knuckles with the duster. Pupils were seen crying and clutching their hands. Zatu could not be reached for comment.