Minor suffers mental illness after alleged abuse
"My child was hit with a stick on the head by her teacher."
A child who was allegedly assaulted by a teacher in Bokamoso primary school in Soshanguve four years ago is still experiencing mental health issues.
Her mother alleged that on April 10, 2018, her child was allegedly hit with a stick on the head by her teacher for having a small eraser.
She said she rushed her child to a local clinic where it was discovered that she suffered a head injury.
She said the injuries suffered by her child have forced her out of school. Now she needs to attend a school for children with special needs due to having developed signs of slow mental development.
“This really hurts because she is not mentally well. She is not coping at school, she’s in grade 3 now but she’s struggling to read and write. She is sometimes struggling to even remember her name.
“It was discovered that she has blood clots in her brain when doctors did an electroencephalogram scan (EEG) on her,” the mother said.
“Recently I signed forms for her to be taken to a special school to start grade 1 because the teacher told me she needs special help as she is not coping with mainstream schooling. My child has to now start from grade 1 at the age of nine. She was supposed to start going to the special school in June but she has not started yet.”
She said her child is currently undergoing psychiatric evaluation at the Tshwane district hospital for a scan that detects abnormalities.
“She was recently taken to Weskoppies psychiatric hospital and has now been referred to Tshwane district hospital for a scan that detects abnormalities such as a brain tumour.”
The mother said the case against the teacher who allegedly hit her was withdrawn in court without her knowledge. There has also not been any intervention from the Department of Education.
“The police told me the case was withdrawn because my child has to go to counselling. I only found out recently that the case was withdrawn. This was after our appearance in court last year February.
“I was never informed about this until I was told by a journalist who was doing the story that the case has been withdrawn.”
NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the matter was provisionally withdrawn because the minor was referred for counselling.
“We cannot comment further on the matter as we are protecting the victim in the matter which is a minor.”
The mother said, “I have also not received any response from the Department of Education regarding any disciplinary hearing of the teacher. She is still teaching at the school despite what happened to my child.”
“I want the Department of Education to get involved in this matter because my child has suffered a lot because of what happened to her.
Gauteng Department of Education Steve Mabona said the information that they have is that the matter is before the courts.
Mabona said the department had initiated an investigation after the matter was reported.
He said the consent forms, which would give the officials the permission to interview the child, were sent to the family.
“Officials will persuade parents to necessary permissions for the finalisation of the investigation accordingly. This investigation will be fast-tracked for finality.”
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