Pretoria – The Department of Basic Education says it will not tolerate teachers who carry out corporal punishment at schools.
Spokesperson for the department, Elijah Mhlanga, said on Tuesday, those teachers who found themselves involved in administering corporal punishment would be reprimanded accordingly because they know that it is against the law.
“They need to adhere to the current policy that says they need to find alternative ways of disciplining learners in the classroom. Whatever challenges or whatever situation they may encounter, they need to follow the regulations that exist,” said Mhlanga, speaking to GCIS Radio News.
This comes after pupils from uMbumbulu High School in KwaZulu-Natal said they had been beaten with the plastic pipe by a teacher.
KwaZulu-Natal Education Department Head of Department Nkosinathi Sishi said an investigation had been launched into the allegations.
“We warn our teachers that are still practicing corporal punishment that it is an illegal act and it is not in line with the values of our democracy … and the provision of schooling in South Africa. No corporal punishment is allowed in our schools.”
He added that the policy was clear and that teachers who were found carrying out corporal punishment would face dismissal and have to pay the possible damages incurred by litigation.
“We condemn corporal punishment and urge our teachers to desist from this practice,” added Sishi. – SAnews.gov.za
