VIDEO UPDATE: Teacher accused of sexual harassment suspended
The provincial department of education confirmed the teacher's suspension and that calm at the school was restored.
THE teacher accused of sexual harassment at Grosvenor Girls’ High School has been suspended. This comes after the intervention of the department of education following mounting pressure from learners and their parents.
The Friday morning, 26 July, protest action was sparked by the Grade 11s at the school demanding that the teacher be removed after he allegedly manhandled and sexually assaulted some of the learners. The girls said they felt it necessary to protest as the principal and staff were doing nothing about the matter.
READ ALSO: Teacher accused of sexual harrassment at Grosvenor Girls
On Monday morning, the protest gained momentum when learners from other grades together with some parents demanded that the teacher evacuate the school premises which can be seen on a video that has now gone viral on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/clint.leverton.3/videos/pcb.3059067524133357/3059066894133420/?type=3&theater&ifg=1
In another video, some learners are seen standing on desks. One learner carries the principal’s framed picture and is seen letting it go before the video pans down to show broken glass and the picture on the floor.
https://www.facebook.com/clint.leverton.3/videos/pcb.3059067524133357/3059066340800142/?type=3&theater&ifg=1
The provincial department of education confirmed the teacher’s suspension and that calm at the school was restored. “The teacher in question has been suspended and classes have resumed at the school. We take this matter very seriously, this is why we’ve decided to do an investigation into the matter and in due course, we will communicate with the public in as far as an update into our investigation is concerned,” said spokesperson for KZN MEC for education, Kwazi Mthethwa.
Classes at the school were disrupted on Monday and Tuesday and learners were dismissed early as management worked on resolving the matter.
The Democratic Alliance on Tuesday, 30 July, called on the provincial MEC for Education, Kwazi Mshengu, to expedite the investigation into allegations.
“We are led to believe that officials from the department, as well as SAPS have visited the school. In terms of the department’s role, we urge the education MEC to ensure that SAPS initiate a criminal investigation into the allegations, should there be any substance to the claims, and to ensure that the necessary corrective action is instituted without delay,” said DA KZN spokesperson for education, Dr Imran Keeka.
He added that they will continue to monitor progress in terms of this probe in a bid to ensure that teaching and learning at the school is restored as a matter of urgency.
Brighton Beach SAPS confirmed that a case was opened.
https://www.facebook.com/clint.leverton.3/videos/pcb.3059067524133357/3059066614133448/?type=3&theater&ifg=1
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