Parents outraged over ‘touchy, feely’ teacher

PARENTS of Ormonde Primary School pupils will stage a protest this morning over a Grade 5 English teacher, who is accused of sexually harassing girl learnrers at the school, some as young as 11.

The angry parents want the principal of the school to suspend the teacher.

They allege that he is inappropriate with their children making sexually charged comments, while others have claimed to have been touched on their bums, breasts and cheeks by him.

On Wednesday, a concerned group of parents visited the school to complain about numerous incidents.

One parent, whose child is the alleged victim of the teacher’s sexually predatory ways, said her child was now scared to go to school after the incident this month.

She said that instead of suspending the alleged offender, the principal has been trying to shield him, saying she is still investigating the matter.

It is alleged that the teacher commented to one of the Grade 7 learners that she had a nice hairstyle and should keep it, and then touched her cheek.

“There is a big problem with my child. She is very sensitive and immediately told me last week when this incident happened. Her father went to school to seek answers but was told that they would investigate. However, nothing was done…” the parent said.

Another parent told of a series of interactions her 13-year-old daughter had with the teacher, saying he had asked for her number.

Other parents, who have voiced their concerns, said they went to the school but were chased away. They accused the principal of shielding the teacher because they are related.

Attempts to obtain comment from the Gauteng Department of Education proved unsuccessful by the time of publication. Speaking to The Star, the chairperson of the School Governing Body, who gave her name only as Dudu, said she was made aware of the allegations about the teacher on Tuesday and has since suspended him.

“We decided to suspend him immediately on Wednesday after we met and conducted our own investigation.

“There will be a hearing that will be conducted to formalise everything,” she said.