Cape Town - More than 170 Western Cape school principals have been found guilty of misconduct in disciplinary proceedings over the past eight years, with 22 dismissed for the offences.
Some of these principals have been found guilty, in more than one case, for transgressions – including sexual harassment, improper conduct, assault and financial mismanagement.
The statistics were shared in the legislature on Monday, where MEC for Education Debbie Schäfer responded in a written reply to questions from ANC education spokesperson Khalid Sayed.
Sayed said it was shocking that a total of 175 principals have been found guilty of serious transgressions, including fraud and insubordination, between 2014 and 2021, yet only 22 have been dismissed.
“We actually need to do follow up questions to understand the reasons for those who were not dismissed and a course of action must be taken. From the complaints we received, I think there are more principals than what is reported,” said Sayed.
Sayed said all investigations need to involve police going forward, due to the nature of the transgressions.
“The WCED needs to act much more quickly when potential for these incidents starts arising. Pupils and teachers must be empowered and given confidence to report these,” he said.
In all the financial years, from 2014 to date, the vast majority of cases relate to financial misconduct, followed by assault, which happened in more than 140 schools.
In the 2021/22 financial year, five principles were found guilty of charges including assault, being under the influence, sexual harassment, improper conduct, insubordination, and financial mismanagement.
While in the 2020/21, 15 principals were found guilty.
In April, the national department of Basic Education gazetted terms and conditions of employment of teachers who had been found guilty of several offences, which range from a year-long ban for transgressions such as financial mismanagement or showing up drunk at school, to an indefinite suspension for those found guilty of serious misconduct – which includes sexual harassment of pupils.
WCED’s Bronagh Hammond said the assault cases related to assault of pupils mainly and all cases were thoroughly investigated, placed on record and fitting sanctions were also handed down.
“The WCED will investigate any cases of assault that are brought to our attention. If we are not satisfied with the decision made by the presiding officer, we can take the matter on review and appeal the decision. We have not done so with any of the dismissals,” she said.
Cape Times