[UPDATE] DA calls on Department following Monnas fight video – Lesufi reprimands school
"The school was severely reprimanded for not officially reporting the case."
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has responded to the video of two learners fighting at Hoërskool Monument which went viral on Facebook.
Read initial article here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/387661/monnas-responds-to-fight-at-school-after-video-explodes-on-facebook/
Their statement indicates that they are calling on the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to investigate the bullying incident that was captured on video on Monday.
“In a video that is being circulated on social media, one male learner is seen beating up another defenceless learner in front of other learners,” said the statement.
The statement went on to explain that the incident may have occurred during break time and on school grounds.
“The DA condemns any form of bullying and any form of misconduct in the strongest terms,” the statement noted.
According to the DA, this was the 296th incident of bullying and assault that has occurred this year, and there is a need for an immediate intervention.
“Despite the fact that the GDE has a policy of zero tolerance towards bullying, such incidents continue to occur at our schools.”
The DA believes it is the GDE’s responsibility to ensure that schools enforce a code of conduct to deal with disciplinary matters and incidents of bullying.
“They should also work with parents, teachers and law enforcement agencies to ensure that bullying is eradicated in our schools.”
The statement said that they are calling on the Department to ensure that the learner implicated in this incident is brought to book.
The Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, visited the school this afternoon in light of the video.
I am on my way to @HMonument. I’ve taken note of your alerts. Will update you just after 13:00. @EducationGP
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) August 16, 2019
“I have just concluded a meeting with the school and the parents of the alleged victim. We have arrived at the decision that all affected learners must indicate within 48 hours why they should not be suspended. The school was severely reprimanded for not officially reporting the case. An urgent disciplinary hearing has been convened so that a decisive decision can be taken. No learner has the right to bully or harm fellow learners. If you do that, we will act decisively,” Lesufi said on his Twitter feed.
(1of 2)I’ve just concluded a meeting with the @HMonument and parents of the alleged victim.We’ve arrived at a decision that all affected learners must within 48 hrs indicate why they shouldn’t be suspended. The School was severely reprimanded for not officially reporting the case https://t.co/8p8dfgeP6C
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) August 16, 2019
(2 of 2) An urgent disciplinary hearing has been convened so that a decisive decision can be taken. No learner has a right to bully or harm fellow learners. If you that, we will act and act decisively. https://t.co/8p8dfgeP6C
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) August 16, 2019
