A physical altercation transpired between a Welkom teacher and a high school learner at HTS Welkom earlier this week. A video clip currently circulating on the internet has sparked serious concerns with the Free State Education MEC, Dr MJ Maboya.
Maboya confirmed that this incident is deeply concerning and not only must it be frowned upon, but it must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
Spokesperson for the department, Howard Ndaba, confirmed that the incident took place due to a cell phone.
“A video of the incident was captured and it shows a teacher and a learner fighting violently in class scrambling for a mobile phone, after the teacher asked the learner to switch it off as it was disturbing the proceedings in the class,” Ndaba mentioned.
Ndaba further added that the department has launched an investigation to ascertain the details surrounding this unsavoury incident.
“The department condemns any form of violence in our schools, especially in a classroom and in full view of other learners. Classrooms are an inviolable space for delivering the core business of the department, which is learning and teaching,” Ndaba added.
“Such ill-discipline will not be tolerated. Schools are for development, not for any other self-defeating activities. As such, we are investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident, and we will act decisively in remedying and redressing the situation,” the MEC concluded.
Compiled by Abigail Visagie
