Cape Town - A group of principals have come out in support of South Peninsula High principal Brian Isaacs who is facing suspension after several allegations, including assault of a pupil, were made against him.
On Tuesday the Cape Argus reported that Isaacs had received a letter from the Western Cape Education Department stating that he had allegedly made himself guilty of “serious misconduct in that you assaulted a learner” as well as “victimisation and improper conduct against learners”.
On Tuesday, Isaacs received a visit from a group of about 10 principals who make up the executive of the Progressive Principals’ Association.
Riyaadh Najaar, the association’s chairman, said the group wanted to show their support to Isaacs, adding that a “madness was taking grip of our society” where principals who are performing are being charged without having given their side of the story.
Najaar, who is the principal of Spine Road High in Mitchells Plain, said the association didn’t support principals who made themselves guilty of assaulting children, but there were also cases where the allegations were trumped up.
“More needs to be done to support principals in terms of discipline.
“Governing bodies don’t always have the capacity to deal with issues of discipline.”
Najaar said pupils often came off lightly for bad behaviour and returned to school “knowing that they can get away with it”.
“If we get to a situation where principals give up on discipline then our schools will fall apart.”
Western Cape Education Department spokesman Paddy Attwell said its special education support officials in every district worked with schools to plan and implement positive behaviour interventions.
“The interventions include training in classroom management, building self-esteem, anti-bullying, restorative justice, conflict management, reclaiming school environments and development of school codes of conduct.”
He said the Safe Schools division also trained school safety committees on how to implement codes of conduct.
Isaacs has denied all the charges against him and has accused the department of a witch-hunt because his school had opposed many policies and other decisions over the years.
He has also said that he couldn’t defend himself properly as he had not been given the names of the children he had allegedly assaulted and victimised.
The department has asked him to provide reasons why his suspension should not be confirmed and Isaacs said he had done so.
On Monday, Attwell said the case was sub judice but added that there was no witch-hunt against Isaacs.
He said the department could not release the names of the pupils at this stage.
“The department will give Mr Isaacs the names when it is deemed necessary, should he need to defend himself.”
Cape Argus