Limpopo teacher under investigation for corporal punishment incident
The mother of a Gr 5 learner who was punished for not doing his homework said the teacher wanted them to keep mum on the matter and not lay a charge with the police.
LIMPOPO – A male teacher at Madabani Primary School in the Soutpansberg West Circuit is the subject on an investigation by the Department of Education, after reports surfaced that he corporally punished a Gr 5 learner in full view of his classmates for not doing his homework.
The teacher’s name is withheld due to legal reasons.
The 13-year-old boy apparently sustained multiple injuries to his backside.
His mother, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they were at first reluctant to bring up the matter, as they wanted to protect their son from being victimised at school. They eventually reported the incident to the circuit manager of Soutpansberg West, she confirmed.
“We also met with the teacher, who convinced us not to lay a charge with the police. He wanted us to keep mum on the matter, but my son’s buttocks were badly swollen.”
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The mother feels the Department of Education should act against abusive teachers.
“As a parent, I am hurt to see my child bruised by someone who should be protecting him. If my child has done something wrong, why does the teacher not call me as a parent? Many times I have heard children from this school complaining about being hit by their teachers and many are too afraid to report these incidents out of fear that they will be failed.”
She said her trust in teachers at the school had been broken.
“I thought teachers are committed to protecting learners, including my son, but I was wrong. Enough is enough now. This time around I want to see the department take action against this teacher,” she said.
Contacted for comment, Education Spokesperson Mike Maringa described the incident as “regrettable”.
“Whether a child is healthy or not, the truth is that corporal punishment is forbidden.”
Maringa said the department would launch an investigation into the matter, “we are still waiting for the report incident from the principal, circuit manager, and senior district manager”.
