LIMPOPO – Parents of learners at Masindi Primary School in Maila village are calling on the Department of Education to take action against the school’s principal following allegations that he corporally punished five Gr 6 learners with a sjambok in full view of their classmates on September 4.

The principal allegedly punished the learners for making noise in the classroom. It is further alleged that the boys sustained multiple injuries to various parts of their bodies.

Department of Education to investigate

The school, which falls under the Elim Circuit, is expected to be investigated by the Department of Education following the allegations.

Elim circuit manager Ntshavheni Rantsu met with the School Governing Body (SGB) and School Management Team (SMT) at the school on September 9 to establish what had happened and obtain information from the SMT, principal and SGB.

Principal declines to comment

Contacted for comment, the principal, NJ Muumba, said he could not comment and referred all questions to the department’s spokesperson.

Legal prohibition of corporal punishment

Section 10(1) of the South African Schools Act states that no person may administer corporal punishment at a school to a learner.

The department’s Circular 65 of 1999 explains that corporal punishment is not limited to caning, but includes assaulting a person in any manner, including violent shaking, kicking, pinching, pulling ears, poking with a finger, or using a stick, cane, belt or other object to threaten or physically punish learners.

The prohibition applies nationally.

Section 10(2) states that anyone who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and, upon conviction, is liable to a sentence that could be imposed for assault.

SGB response and parental concerns

SGB member Tumelo Kalane said the SGB was unaware of what had happened until the circuit manager invited them to meet with the SMT and principal. She said the SGB had seen photographs showing that some learners were swollen, but stressed that they did not support the principal’s alleged actions.

“We are waiting for the department’s report after the matter was reported to them, while the parents have also reported the matter to the police,” said Kalane.

One parent, Eric Raphulu, said that after his son complained of pain, he took him to Elim Hospital for treatment and subsequently opened a case with the police.

“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 principal not call me as a parent?” he said.

Raphulu said the incident had damaged his trust in the school’s teachers.

“I thought teachers were committed to protecting learners, including my son, but I was wrong,” he added.

Family initially reluctant to report

The boy’s mother, who asked not to be named, said the family was initially reluctant to raise the matter because they wanted to protect their son from possible victimisation.

They eventually reported the incident to the Elim West circuit manager.

“We eventually also met with the principal, who convinced us not to lay a charge with the police. He wanted us to keep quiet about the matter, but my son’s body was badly swollen,” she said.

Department condemns incident

Education spokesperson Mike Maringa described the incident as “regrettable” and reiterated that corporal punishment is prohibited.

He said the department would investigate the matter.

“We are still waiting for the report about the incident from the principal, circuit manager and senior district manager,” said Maringa.

Police investigation ongoing

Capt Vuledzani Dathi confirmed that a case of assault had been opened and that the police investigation was ongoing.

No suspect had been arrested at the time of going to press.