Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma says action will be taken against teachers who continue to hit children at schools, while also expressing concern at the high number of school girls who fall pregnant.
Speaking at the 17th national teachers’ awards ceremony in Johannesburg, Zuma condemned corporal punishment.
“First, is corporal punishment. It is shocking that regardless of the outlawing of this barbaric form of punishment in schools we still hear of cases where learners have been severely beaten by teachers. Some have been reported to have lost their lives."
“We condemn the beating of children in schools. It is unlawful and action will be taken against teachers who break the law and violate the dignity and personal safety of children,” he said.
Zuma said social ills such as gangsterism, drugs and bullying should be eradicated at school.
“We must not give up and must continue working together to eliminate these social ills and protect our children.”
Also, the problem of teenage pregnancies continued, indicating “we are failing somewhere as parents and teachers in guiding and teaching our youth”.
Meanwhile, a response to a DA parliamentary question has revealed that 193 primary school girls in Grades 3, 4 and 5 fell pregnant between 2014 and 2016.
If girls from Grade 6 and 7 who fell pregnant are added, this number increases to a shocking 1 449 children.
The DA would submit further parliamentary questions to find out if the girls were under 16, and if rape charges have been brought against perpetrators.
“We will also investigate whether these girls have since returned to school, following the birth of their child, what support the school and the Department of Basic Education have provided them to catch up on the syllabus, and whether counselling and other emotional support has been provided,” said DA MP Sonja Boshoff.