A physical altercation between a teacher and a high school learner at HTS Welkom earlier this week has sparked serious concerns from Free State Education MEC Dr MJ Maboya after a video of the incident began circulating online.

Maboya expressed deep concern, stating that such incidents must not only be frowned upon but condemned in the strongest terms.

Departmental spokesperson Howard Ndaba confirms the altercation occurred over a cellphone.

“A video shows the teacher and learner fighting in class, scrambling for a phone after the teacher requested the learner to switch it off as it was disrupting the lesson,” Ndaba says.

He adds the department has launched an investigation into the incident.

“The department condemns any form of violence in schools, particularly in classrooms and in front of other learners. Classrooms are spaces dedicated to learning and teaching,” Ndaba says.

Maboya emphasises that ill-discipline will not be tolerated and that schools are meant for development. “We are investigating the circumstances and will act decisively to address the situation,” he concludes.