A Grade 4 learner from Sakhile Primary School in Ratanda assaulted a teacher on November 5. It is alleged that the 10-year -old learner threw a pencil case directly at the teacher, hitting her in the face. The learner fled the school premises through broken palisades and later returned accompanied by his grandmother and aunt.
The teacher was taken to hospital for medical treatment before being released the same day. The learner was suspended with immediate effect but will be allowed to finish his exams under police supervision. According to Steve Mabona (spokesperson: Gauteng Department of Education) the departmental procedure will follow after November 20 when the learner has finished writing his exams. “It is embarrassing that a learner would harm a person that should teach, nurture and mentor him. Teachers play a significant role in our schooling environment, thus learners should be reminded that teachers are like their parents and should be treated as such. Teachers deserve the same respect that learners give their parents. Learner ill-discipline will not be tolerated in our environment,’’ Mabona said.
Ratanda SAPS were called to the school and advised that the matter be handled by the school governing body. According to Constable Moss Maluleke (spokesperson: Ratanda SAPS) he arrived at the scene and found the ambulance there. “I did not get the opportunity to speak to the victim or the minor, but advised the principal to bring the victim to the station to lay a charge. I reported the matter to the Department of education,” he concluded.
