The Department of Basic Education [DBE] has denounced corporal punishment in schools following episodes of illegal administering of such punishments that have been reported across various provinces.
DBE said in a statement that, “It condemns, in the harshest possible terms, and subverted, reckless and irresponsible attempts by principals, teachers and/or any support staff member to undermine the existing legislative framework prohibiting the use of corporal punishment in schools.”
Basic education indicated in an article published on its website that prohibiting corporal punishment is an obligation under international human rights law, and not a voluntary gesture based on good-will.
Last year, SA Council of Educators reported that the latest statistics indicated that corporal punishment topped the list of 593 complaints nationally. The dream team sit down to discuss #corporalpunishment in schools.Tune in to @etv now to join the conversation☀ #MorningShowSA pic.twitter.com/KMItuEBDIs
— The Morning Show (@MorningShowSA) June 19, 2018
The media and social mediums have been leading sources in spreading the news about cases where learners are seen on video threatening or beating-up their teachers in schools.
KwaZulu-Natal in recent times has been heavily hit by corporal punishment incidences in schools because teachers were hitting learners. It was so bad that the education in that province had to intervene.
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But how should teachers discipline learners?
According to DBE, provinces have adopted a zero-tolerance policy approach when corporal punishment is reported. The department has implemented a simplified way of reporting in all schools, and the following must, therefore, happen once an incident is brought forward;
- The person to whom the incident has been reported to must obtain as much information as possible from the complainant (learner) about the allegation, through a written statement.
- All the relevant documentation, together with a report by the Head of the Institution to the Directorate: Dispute Management, marked as “urgent” must be forwarded to the District Office/Head Office.
- The School Governing Body (SGB), the School Circuit Manager, and the learner’s parents must be informed about the incident and that it has been referred for further handling and that they will be contacted in due course by a relevant official.
- The District Office will investigate the matter and forward a report with recommendations for the Head of the relevant Department’s approval.
- Where an educator is found guilty, disciplinary action will be instituted and the matter will be reported to the South African Council for Educators (SACE). Under no circumstances should cases of corporal punishment be dealt with in terms of an informal disciplinary hearing procedure. All cases should be heard in a formal disciplinary hearing.
The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) of 14 to 15 September 2017, approved the Protocol to Deal with Incidences of Corporal Punishment in Schools; and the Protocol for the Management and Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Harassment in Schools.
During 2018/19 these documents will be widely disseminated to strengthen the adoption of the roles and responsibilities assigned to officials and educators.
"Research shows that whether you spank the child or not, they still come out the same. The question is now, who does it really benefit?" Dr Mhinga & @mzambiyaSA sit down to to discuss #corporalpunishment ! Tune in to @etv to join the conversation ☀️???? #MorningShowSA pic.twitter.com/nwZ5BuKi6Z
— The Morning Show (@MorningShowSA) June 18, 2018
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