Pretoria - The Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, has instructed the school management of Jardao College, in Johannesburg, to write a letter of apology to parents of Grade 10-12 girl learners at the school.
This follows reports of alleged sexual harassment at the school last week. It is believed that female learners at the school were checked by female teachers for sexually activity after a cleaner found a bloodied condom in the girl’s toilet.
MEC Lesufi visited the school on Monday and said the school had agreed to write a letter to all parents to apologise.
“We agreed in the meeting that we need to apologise unreservedly so to South Africans. We believe it’s very important to respect the dignity of our learners. This is not the way to treat girl children, we will protect their rights,” said MEC Lesufi.
The MEC has also instructed that all the information presented to him during the meeting be handed over to the Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter.
“When they give us a report of their findings, then I will take action,” said MEC Lesufi.
A team of counsellors have been deployed to the school to provide counselling services to the affected learners.
“If there are parents that feel their children need additional support, we will take care of them. I really believe that what happened here is unacceptable and the dignity of our learners cannot be undermined,” said Lesufi.
The MEC also visited Westbury primary to inspect work underway after reports of power cuts and water problems at the school.
He received a briefing from the school management and contractors. He was informed that work is underway to restore electricity and unblock toilets. – SAnews.gov.za
