Corporal punishment was banned in 1996 because it goes against the Children’s Bill of Rights. The Madisong High School principal in Hammanskraal has committed a serious offence for implementing it. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands decisive action against the principal.
Instead of a suspension, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) merely moved the principal to the District Office while an investigation continues. This slap on the wrist for an alleged unconstitutional act by the principal raises concerns about consistency and fairness in the department’s processes.
GDE must investigate these two incidents and take stern measures against those educators implicated. The DA will submit formal questions to the GDE MEC Matome Chiloane in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) seeking answers on how disciplinary decisions are made and why this case appears to have been treated differently. We will also conduct an oversight inspection at the school to ascertain the state of learning and teaching.
We applaud the courage of the learners who spoke up against this alleged abuse. By standing up, they are helping to protect others.