Sir
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education condemns the use of corporal punishment by some educators in schools.
Despite it being banned since 1997, some teachers in South African schools continue to dish out corporal punishment, often for everyday offences. Children have the right to be free from all forms of violence, to enjoy their education, and not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman, and degrading way. There’s a video clip that has gone viral on social network that clearly shows a learner being beaten up by what looks like a teacher in a class room.
Unconfirmed reports suggests that the video clip was filmed in one of the schools in KwaZulu-Natal, therefore, as the Department of Education, we are working around the clock to identify the school. Corporal punishment is illegal. No learner should be made to feel like they deserve the punishment, or that this is normal practice. We expect the affected learners to report such incidents to a parents, guardians, teachers or to any person they may trust.
Victims of corporal punishment can also report incidents to the school principal so that the principal can investigate. The principal should report such incidents to the department of education, so that the department can institute disciplinary proceedings against the perpetrator. If the Principal does not investigate the matter further, learners or their parents can report the incident themselves to the Department of Education’s District Office. They can also escalate the matter further themselves to the provincial offices of the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal.
Alternatively, incidents of corporal punishment can be reported to the Child Protection Unit of the South African Police Services and criminal charges could be laid against the perpetrator with the police. As the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal we believe that there’s usually an alternative to corporal punishment, Corporal punishment is not a creative way to maintain discipline as it is reactive. There’s a difference between disciplining and punishing.
We are certain that through effective communication teachers can improve their relationship with learners so that they no longer need to resort to corporal punishment. Children’s unacceptable behaviour is often an attempt to be heard and a way to try to communicate with the parents or educators.
Kwazi Mthethwa
Media Liaison: Deputy Director
Office of the MEC For Education
