Education dept suspends Grade R teacher for allegedly assaulting learner
"He has been saying he will not go to school because he's afraid of the teacher."
Gauteng Department of Education has suspended a grade R teacher from Nchuncheko Primary School after a video surfaced on social media of her allegedly assaulting one of her learners.
According to departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona, the incident happened last week Thursday.
Mabona confirmed the department was aware of the assault incident and that the alleged perpetrator in the video was a grade R practitioner at Nchuncheko Primary School.
“It must be noted that teacher has been removed from the school, pending a disciplinary hearing scheduled for 24 May.
“Our psycho-social unit has been dispatched to the school to offer counselling to the affected learner.
“We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of any form of assault of learners in our schools as corporal punishment is outlawed by the country’s constitution.”
Mabona said they have never hesitated to act when such matters were reported and would continue to prioritise safety at schools at all times.
“We believe that educators should at all times lead by example to create a safe schooling environment conducive for effective learning.”
The learner’s grandmother said she was “heart-broken” about the incident.
“That is no way to discipline a child,” she said.
According to her, the principal only called her on Friday about the incident.
“I went to the school on Monday. I do not even know what will make me feel better. I don’t even feel like eating and the child has been complaining about a headache since then.”
The grandmother said the learner was now too afraid to go back to school.
“The school said they will provide him with counselling, but he is only five years old. This will affect him for the rest of his life.”
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