NEWCASTLE: ‘Suspended’ Siyamukela teacher still at school
Sources allege the teacher who poured boiling water over learners, is still at the school.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the KwaZulu-Natal province has reacted with shock after a learner from Siyamukela High School confirmed the teacher who had poured water over him, and at least 10 other classmates, was still at school and teaching them from the day of the incident, at the beginning of September.
This is despite statements made by the KZN Education of Department in the national media, that the teacher was suspended. Contrary to what has already been published, the learner says it was not six learners, but at least ten, and possibly 11, learners who were scalded that day.
DA’s KZN Spokesperson on Education, Dr Imran Keeka commented that to allow the educator to continue to teach the same learners he allegedly scalded with boiling water, was unfathomable and completely unacceptable.
“The psycho-social impact and trauma under such circumstances will prevent learners from being productive and they will continue to attend school, if at all, in total fear and confusion and they would even dread putting their foot on school premises. Until the educator is cleared of any wrong-doing, MEC Mshengu must take imminent steps to put the learners first and someone must answer for the continued presence of the teacher in the school and worse still, in the same classroom as his alleged victims,” said Dr Keeka.
He added he will be sending correspondence to KZN Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu, to remind him to act now in the best interest of all, and confirmed the South African Council of Educators (SACE) is already investigating.
“I look forward to the outcome of their investigation when it is eventually complete and what steps they will take should they find the educator is guilty of this horrible abuse and crime,” concluded Dr Keeka.
The SACE stated, in response to a media enquiry, that the matter was only brought to its attention over the past weekend and a file could only be opened on Monday (October 12).
To read more about this story, get this week’s print edition of the Newcastle Advertiser on shelves today (October 15).Â
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