Cape Town – It appears corporal punishment is alive and well in some Western Cape schools.
A teacher at Siyazingisa Primary School in Gugulethu allegedly beat a child with a pipe so badly her fingertips were left swollen a week later.
The 10-year-old Grade 5 pupil was allegedly beaten because she did not go to her teacher’s desk quickly enough after being called.
The girl’s mother said she had been complaining about her teacher for some time.
The mother said: “The kind of discipline my child got induced fear in her. On Monday she did not want to go to school. She has been complaining about her teacher drinking alcohol in front of them (the pupils).”
She accompanied her child to school this week and said the teacher did not deny beating the child.
“The principal said it was the first time a parent came to complain about the teacher and she has taken note about the beating problem.”
The mother said she also opened a case of sexual harassment against the teacher.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said corporal punishment and assault are regarded as the same, and carry the same sanctions, in terms of the SA Schools Act.
Jessica Shelver, spokesperson for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said: “At the same time, the WCED is well aware of the challenges that many teachers face when managing and attempting to change behaviour."
“We appeal to all learners to continue to report any form of abuse, intimidation, victimisation or violence to the WCED’s Safe Schools.”