UPDATE: February 7
KZN Department of Education spokesman Sihle Mlotshwa says that its investigation into the humiliation of the little girl will be finalised next week. An enquiry by the district department started last Thursday.
>>
A LITTLE girl had to endure the humiliation of being stripped naked and hosed down with a fire hose, in full view of pupils and parents, after she had accidentally soiled herself in class.
The child is a grade 1 pupil at Jai Hind Primary School in Albersville. According to a parent who witnessed the alleged mistreatment of the child, a teacher instructed the school’s female caretaker to clean her after her accident. The caretaker is alleged to have taken her to a spot near the school toilet block where she proceeded to hose her down while the little girls was still dressed in her school uniform.
“The caretaker then made the little girl undress and told her to use her hand to wash herself while the caretaker continued to spray her with cold water,” said a shocked parent. “When parents tried to intervene, they were verbally abused by the caretaker,” the parent added.
Rubeun Judnarain, who is on the school’s governing body, described the treatment of the pupil as “totally inhumane and unacceptable”. No one wants to see children grow up with fear. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a relative or a caregiver, you can make a difference and help the children you love grow up in a caring, loving environment,” he added.
KZN Department of Education spokesman Sihle Mlotshwa said adults who neglected or abused children should be dealt with harshly as young children were not able to fend for themselves.
“We condemn the alleged act in the strongest possible terms,” he said, adding that the allegations would be investigated . The school and the pupil’s parents declined to comment.
