Acornhoek teacher is in hot water over alleged punishment
In 1996, the South African Schools Act, under Section 10, banned the use of corporal punishment in schools.
A parent in the Rooiboklaagte is accusing a teacher of Senianya Primary School of repeatedly administering corporal punishment to her six-year-old son, who has hypertension and is in Grade One.
According to the parent, since the start of the school year, her son has come home with scars that he says he obtained from a teacher beating him at school.
On Monday May 16, the boy came home crying and screaming about being beaten with a water pipe, and he said that he do not want to go back to that school.
Albertina Rahlapane told Lowvelder Express that her son does not enjoy school anymore because he is allegedly abused daily.
“My son refuses to return to school because he is scared. As a parent, I am also hesitant to send him since it hurts me to see him cry every day when he comes home.
“Schools should be a secure haven for children, a place where they can find joy rather than misery. School is a place where all children should look forward to going, but when a young boy refuses to go, it is a strong indication that something is wrong.”
Rahlapane said she went to the school several times to seek help from the principal.
“I went to the school a few days after it had reopened in January and talked to the principal, he took down my complaint, and I hoped the problem would be remedied, however, the alleged abuse continued. In February and March I had to return to the school and appeal for assistance.”
The newspaper contacted the Department of Education. Its spokesperson, Jasper Zwane said, “The South African Schools Act, Section 10 clearly prohibits corporal punishment in schools, and further states that: (1) No person may administer corporal punishment at a school to a learner. (2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence, and liable on conviction to a sentence which could be imposed on that person.
“To this end, the department has forwarded this matter to the Labour Relations section to undertake an investigation. The department further encourages the parent to open a case of assault with the police.”
