Sex-pest educator barred from teaching
SANDTON - Hyde Park High teacher Jeffrey Ostrowick is not allowed to teach again.
Ostrowick, a Grade 12 English teacher, was caught sending pornographic material to a 16-year-old pupil in October last year. The pupil’s mother found inappropriate messages on her son’s phone and then pretended to be her son, encouraging him to engage in explicit content.
Ostrowick pleaded guilty to contravening the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on 11 December, 2013. He was sentenced to a R3 000 fine instead of serving six months imprisonment.
According to the Department of Education’s spokesperson Phumla Sekhonyane, Ostrowick resigned on the 25 October, 2013. His resignation letter was tendered pending disciplinary action instituted against him.
She said the department had invoked Section 14 of the Employment of Educator’s Act 78 of 1998 as amended.
“The act deemed him to be discharged from the service on account of misconduct, which means he cannot be re-employed in the public service in any capacity,” said Sekhonyane.
The department had referred the matter to the South African Council for Educators for appropriate action to be taken.
The mother had removed her son from the school and indicated to the department that she will arrange private counselling and therapy sessions for him.
