The IFP calls for a thorough investigation into the allegations that some pupils are being sexually abused by male teachers at Durban’s renowned Adams College, with some current and former pupils taking to social media to break their silence this week. Those affected spoke out about the alleged sexual incidents on Twitter and Facebook, calling for the department of education to take action against the implicated teachers.
“It’s disgusting and embarrassing that we have teachers who opt to destroy the future of pupils instead of building it. We call on the department to deal with such cases efficiently and use the evidence brought before them.
Sex perverts have no place in the education profession, they must be named and shamed for the rest of their lives. Teachers should lead by example by being professional and not behave like sexual perverts.
Perverts must not be allowed to teach children because when they see girls they think about having a sexual relationship with them. We do not condone any romantic relationships between teachers and pupils,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Education, Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa MPL.
“Recently were shocked to learn about the alleged rape of an autistic 11-year old boy from Golden Hours Special Needs School, a Durban North special needs boarding school. It is even more worrying that school officials who are meant to play an active role in protecting these children are the ones abusing them.
The IFP is gravely concerned over the compromised safety of children including those with special needs in the places where they are supposed to be well looked after and their protection is of the priority.
Since child sexual abuse is a public health issue, we need to mobilise key groups across society to be able to bring about real change in its prevention. Government must develop and expand local area child sexual exploitation action plans to become local child sexual abuse prevention strategies.
School officials must play their part in fighting this scourge against children especially those with special needs. When such cases are reported to them they must ensure quick intervention using resources available to help,” continued Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa.
“The abuse of children and people with disability is a longstanding and pervasive social problem. Disabled children heavily depend on good educators and care givers for support, protection and guidance, it is therefore unacceptable that these people be the ones to not protect these children.
There is ripe opportunity to develop protective frameworks which actively and specifically work to prevent harm, which safeguard children and people with disability and which respond quickly and effectively when they experience abuse and neglect. While there are strategies which promote the rights and interests of children and of people with disability, there is a need for these to be drawn together coherently and systematically.
A national coordinated framework for the safeguarding of children and people with disability will improve the way abuse and neglect of children with disability is responded to across key life domains, and promote good practice in preventing maltreatment.
Lastly, we urge government in particular the KZN Department of Education to try its best to ensure that our learners including those leaving with disabilities are protected against any form of abuse,” concluded Mrs Madlopha-Mthethwa
Issued by:
Mrs Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Education
079 114 3015
