GDE investigates Highlands North Boys High principal for ‘corporal punishment’

HIGHLANDS NORTH – The Highlands North Boys’ High School principal might find himself on the wrong side of the law as the Gauteng Department has lodged investigations after reports that he assaulted two pupils.

According to one of the school staff members who didn’t want to be identified, they (school staff) had a ‘very terrible incident’ at work, and the ‘principal of the school engaged two learners physically.’

The staff member said it had been reported that he confiscated a phone of a Grade 8 learner, slapped the boy and knocked his head against the wall. The staff member said the parents went to the school to discuss the matter with him (principal) in his office, however, some of the staff members have taken an initiative of reporting the matter to the Department of Education’s head office. The staff member said they did that because they believe that, in terms of the South African School Act, educators and principals are prohibited from executing corporal punishment.

The concerned member said they had the view that the matter should not be left untold and that to make things worse, the principal engaged a Grade 12 pupil physically, who is currently writing his final examinations. The staff member said the conduct of the principal was totally unacceptable, hence the reporting of the matter. The member said the principal failed to abide by the recent circular from Gauteng Department of Education, providing alternative means to deal with correcting learners’ behaviour who are believed not to behave appropriately.

The principal referred all the questions to the department as he was not allowed to speak to the media.

In her response to North Eastern Tribune questions, Gauteng Department of Education’s spokesperson Phumla Sekhonyane said, “Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We view this matter in a very serious light and we will immediately launch an investigation into this.”

Sekhonyane said the corporal punishment is outlawed by both the Constitution and the South African Schools Act. “Any educator found to have administered corporal punishment will be taken through a disciplinary process. The Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi has vowed to deal decisively with whoever administers corporal punishment in our schools,” Sekhonyane said.

It had been reported that he confiscated a phone of a Grade 8 pupil, slapped the boy and knocked his head against the wall. What are your thoughts on corporal punishment in schools?

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