NGQELENI EDUCATOR GET SUSPENSION FOR CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

The department of education in the Eastern Cape province has confirmed that an educator at Sandi Secondary school, in Ngqeleni has been suspended for allegedly practicing corporal punishment. This comes after Khula development Project chairperson, Mr. Petros Majola shared a video on social media. The video shows a swollen hand that is believed to be that of a learner who has allegedly been injured by an educator. According to Majola a learner was late for school and was beaten for that, and at a later stage noticed that she got injured. It has been reported that she reported the matter to the principal but did not get a proper response, instead she was ordered to keep on attending classes, regardless of the pain she was feeling.

“We have been made aware of the learner’s situation and the ignorance by principal. Even during our time as learners we would be beaten, but the anger in these teachers is like it is spiced up with chilies, they are always angry. We are investigating the case and we will leave no stone unturned” Majola said.

The Eastern Cape department of education has condemned the corporal punishment, emphasizing that it was banned and no educator is expected to have used corporal punishment on a learner. Education spokesperson in the province, Mali Mtima says the department has suspended an educator.

“It is a known fact that no educator is allowed to use corporal punishment, and when that happens a learner or a parent can open a case against that educator so that the arrests can be made”

Mtima also suggested ways that can be used by educators to punish the learners, mentioning detention, ordering them to do some tasks that include gardening, cleaning among other things, adding that it is clear that when educators beat the learners they are fighting, which leads to injuries. He also called for parents to refrain from ordering teachers to use corporal punishment on learners as an educator will be in trouble.