Teacher ‘called pupils retards, idiots’

Generic pic of blackboard and chalk

Generic pic of blackboard and chalk

Published Feb 7, 2016

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Teachers at a special needs school on the Bluff are calling for the principal to be removed after allegations of misconduct, verbal abuse and racism.

In a report by the Department of Education, which the Sunday Tribune has seen, teachers at Kenmont School have accused principal Esmé Klopper of allowing a teacher to call her pupils “retards” and “idiots”.

They have alleged that she also referred to some black and Indian pupils and therapists in derogatory terms.

The teachers also claim she victimised and intimidated them and told them that if they did not follow her instructions, she would have them fired.

They have alleged that she used school resources for herself and would often go shopping during school time.

She is also accused of working in cahoots with the head of department of the school’s foundation phase to make the teachers’ lives miserable.

“The toilets were divided between Indians and whites in that Mrs Klopper divided them between therapists and teachers. All the therapists were Indian and the teachers were whites,” said one teacher in the report.

Concerns

The teachers and a former member of the school’s governing body took their concerns to the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa).

Naptosa’s chief executive in KwaZulu-Natal, Anthony Pierce, said the department concluded an investigation in 2014, but no action was taken.

“The inordinate delay from the department has made the matter more complex.

“The teachers concerned have been placed under immense stress after the investigation, but the department is doing nothing. “We hope that now the matter is public they will step in and resolve the issue. They have suggested certain sanctions, but still nothing was ever done about Klopper’s conduct,” said Pierce.

Klopper was contacted for comment but she referred the Sunday Tribune to the education department. In the department’s report, Klopper denied all allegations through her attorney.

The report said charges of misconduct should be considered against her.

“Looking to the future, officials would also need to ensure that teaching and learning are not disrupted (as a result of) tension between personnel at the school,” the report read.

Education spokesman Muzi Mahlambi said similar conduct would not always result in a person being suspended or fired. An alternative sanction should have been offered.

Responding to allegations that the department did not take any action, Mahlabi said: “If we reprimand someone, this is not for public consumption. It doesn’t mean that nothing was done,” he said.

Sunday Tribune

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